When you think of a vending machine, you probably call to mind images of large units that dispense any number of sugary drinks or snacks. What you might not think about is a vending machine that dispenses clean drinking water on command, but that’s exactly what one vending machine manufacturer hopes to change. The Wittern Group is hoping that its new controlled dispensing solutions will prove so popular with people looking for clean drinking water that they could entirely replace water fountains in the near future.
The Benefits of Clean Water Machines
The benefits of a clean water vending machine are numerous, particularly as a public and environmental service. Not only are manufacturers hoping that they’ll replace water fountains, but also the need for bottled water in many major markets. Bottled water may be convenient, but it represents a number of environmental and material hazards that we cannot afford to ignore any longer.
Additionally, clean water vending machines may prove to be much more reliable than traditional bottle-filled machines. These machines are connected to the public water system, essentially guaranteeing that they will never “run out” of stock.
Steps to Obtain Approval
In order for a vending machine company to provide such water-related services to the public, however, a number of important steps are involved. Though requirements will vary slightly based on jurisdiction, the broader strokes are always the same. In Massachusetts, for example, any water vending machine will have to be first submitted to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in Boston for a lengthy review and approval process. A complete description of the new technology will need to be provided, documentation outlining all plumbing and schematics must be included and a copy of the operational and vending machine maintenance manual will also be necessary.
Third party approval will also be required by an agency that has been certified by the MassDEP, with the NAMA (National Automatic Merchandising Association) being just one of many examples. The site that the vending machine will be located at will have to be properly registered, as will the unit itself as a component of the public water system.
With advanced solutions such as these, vending machine repair becomes even more important. When a vending machine becomes your premier and trusted source for something as important as clean drinking water, fixing any issues and performing regular maintenance are even more essential to its continued survival than ever before. If these clean water vending machines continue to grow in popularity, the days of water fountains and even bottled water may very well be numbered.
