In recent years, the spotlight on water quality has grown intensely, influencing consumer demand and regulatory standards profoundly. But what impact does this heightened focus have on the demand for bottle-filling stations? Stephanie Guttas, product manager at OASIS International, gave her insight into current trends and what is driving demand today and in the future.
“The wave of urbanization, aging infrastructure, and evolving technology can all contribute to the presence of contaminants in water supplies. Bottle fillers with UV and other filtration systems provide convenient, accessible solutions for improving drinking water.” Guttas adds that growth in new construction and stricter government regulations often can lead to increased water testing, and awareness is raised when contaminants are detected.
Consumers are on notice and are seeking solutions that deliver safer water.
Stephanie Guttas, OASISInternational
When examining which sectors are witnessing the most growth in the use of bottle filling stations, two areas stand out: the K-12 education sector and the aviation industry.
“In the K-12 education segment, there’s noticeable growth driven by government funding and private-public partnerships, supplementing state and municipal budgets,” Guttas explains the shift in the education sector.
Meanwhile, the aviation industry is also experiencing a substantial demand. “Predicted strong demand for air travel indicates more airport construction, expanding and modernizing facilities. Federal programs and private funding are expected to boost this sector,” she says shows the evolving needs in air travel infrastructure.
Recent global events have undeniably accelerated changes in consumer behaviors, impacting industries across the board, including water filtration and hydration solutions.
“Global events have shifted consumer behaviors, necessitating our focus on listening to customers and continuously improving our offerings,” emphasizes the need for companies like Oasis to stay attuned to these changes.
As consumers increasingly seek solutions that deliver safe, clean drinking water, the focus is not only on meeting current demands but also on anticipating future needs. By staying ahead of trends, leveraging new technologies, and understanding the evolving requirements of different sectors, companies can not only contribute to public health and safety but also lead the way in sustainable, innovative water solutions.
OASIS has the clean answer to provide water for public areas while limiting the spread of germs with innovative products. With a full suite of products, OASIS has the solutions to help keep your clients, visitors, employees, and tenants hydrated and healthy. Contact us today to learn your hydration solutions.
In today’s fast-paced world, hydration is essential. But with mounting concerns over environmental sustainability and the growing piles of plastic waste, the way we choose to hydrate matters. Enter the 5-gallon water bottle, a game-changer in the world of hydration. Here’s why:
Cost-Effective Hydration
Buying water in 5-gallon bottles is more cost-effective than purchasing single-use plastic bottles. The initial expense of water dispensers pays off in the long run, ensuring you get more value for every drop.
Clean, Pure Water Every Time
You’re guaranteed clean, uncontaminated water with every pour from a 5-gallon bottle. The tight seal and dispensing mechanism ensure your drink is pure and fresh.
Home or Office Delivery? Yes, Please!
Many services now offer doorstep delivery of these 5-gallon bottles, removing the hassle of hauling heavy bottles and ensuring you’re never out of clean water.
Sustainability at its Best
Consider the return on investment (ROI): refilling and reusing a 5-gallon plastic jug drastically reduces waste compared to continually buying and discarding single-use plastics. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about saving the planet, one refill at a time.
Energy Efficiency with OASIS Dispensers
Not all dispensers are created equal. OASIS dispensers are designed to be energy efficient, leading to savings on your utility bills.
Utmost Convenience
Imagine never having to deal with the clutter of multiple empty bottles again. With a 5-gallon bottle and a reliable dispenser, you have a steady stream of water at your fingertips, whether at home or in the office.
In the end, it’s clear: 5-gallon bottles offer a convenient, sustainable, and cost-effective hydration solution. Interested in making the switch? Contact us to explore the benefits and find the perfect hydration solution for your home or office. Say goodbye to single-use plastics and hello to sustainable hydration with OASIS!
It’s that exciting time of year again – Back-to-School season for Fall 2023! OASIS is here to help give the school year a refreshing start with recommended instructions for bringing a cooler back into service after being shut down.
Supplies Required for the OASIS PG8AC unit
Disinfectant wipes or food grade disinfectant
Latex or nitrile gloves
T 15 Torx Screwdriver
Bucket
¼” Union part #028605-101
Step 1 – Unplug Unit
Remove front cover (if necessary) to access electric plug
Unplug from outlet
Step 2 – Prep the Cooler
Shut off water valve – note this is for example only, actual valves can differ
Press dispense pad until water stops to depressurize
Step 3 – Bypass the Filter (if applicable)
This is a great time to change the filter cartridge
Remove the tubing from the filter head
Step 4 – Draining the Cold Tank
Depress the collet and remove the drain plug
Allow tank to drain to completely into bucket.
Note – Some models may have a cap instead of a plug.
Step 5 – Closing the Tank Drain
Insert the plug into the union fitting to close the tank drain
Insert the cap onto the drain line to close the tank drain
Step 6 – 1st Flush Cycle
Turn ON water supply
Depress pad until water fills the cold tank and runs consistently, allow approximately 2 gallons
Step 7 – Repeat Draining the Cold Tank
Shut off water supply
Depressurize
Remove drain plug on tank
Drain into bucket
Step 8 – 2nd Flush Cycle
Turn ON water supply
Run 2 more gallons through the unit
Step 9 – Reconnect the Filter (if applicable)
Shut off water and depressurize the unit once more
Note – It is recommended to properly flush the replacement filter cartridge before connecting to the cooler
Remove lines from union
Reinsert the tubing into the filter head
Step 10 – Flushing Complete
Turn ON water supply
Run water by depressing the dispense pad
Plug unit back into outlet
Step 11 – Sanitizing the Exterior
Clean the top of the unit, push pads and bubbler with disinfectant wipes
OASIS International is now part of the Affiliated Distributors Group as a new PLB Division Supplier!
OASIS International, a recognized worldwide leader of bottled and pressure water coolers and provide point-of-use filtration equipment, drinking fountains, dehumidifiers, has innovated, engineered, manufactured, and distributed some of the world’s best clean drinking water solutions for more than 100 years. Delivering water-friendly solutions to more than 80 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The OASIS goal is what it’s always been: to provide clean, refreshing drinking water to the planet that is free from harmful bacteria, viruses, sediments, metals and chemicals.
“As a commercial plumbing manufacturer, we believe that partnering with Affiliated Distributors is extremely important to our company. It provides us an opportunity to grow our business and strengthen our relationships with the AD members” said John Wood, OASIS Vice President of Sales for the North Region.
Oasis International is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A., with facilities in Mexico, Ireland and Poland. All of Oasis water fountain and bottle filler products meet the requirements of the Trade Agreement Act and are approved to be acquired by the US Government for use.
For more information regarding OASIS Internationals’ product offerings and hydration solutions please contact Vice President of Sales for the North Region John Wood, at jwood@oasiscoolers.com or contact Chip Brady, Vice President of Sales of the Americas at cbrady@oasiscoolers.com.
About OASIS
OASIS International is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of clean drinking water systems. Since 1910, we’ve sold over 13 million water dispensing systems around the world. Our innovative products include touch-free bottle fillers and drinking fountains, conversion and retrofit kits, bottle/bottle-free coolers and water filtration solutions. OASIS designs, manufactures and distributes products to over 100 countries. Learn more at www.oasiscoolers.com.
About AD
AD is a member-owned organization, passionate about bringing growth-oriented independent distributors and best-in-class supplier partners together with the purpose to outperform the market and to stay ahead of the competition.
For over 40 years AD’s sincere customer-first approach to relationships and our continual investments in innovative support have helped AD to achieve annual sales of more than $70 billion across nine industries and three countries. With more than 5,000 branches from 850-plus independently owned members, AD is North America’s largest marketing/buying group for construction and industrial supplies. Learn more at www.adhq.com.
ESSER II expiring September 30, 2023 ESSER III expiring September 30, 2024
ESSER Funding Overview ESSER funding is a federal grant program that provides funding to states and local educational agencies (LEAs) to help them address the impact of COVID-19 in education. The ESSER funds can be used to improve K-12 public schools infrastructure to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs.
Investing ESSER II & III funding in hygienic hydration solutions, such as contactless bottle-filling stations and drinking fountains with filtration systems targeting lead and other harmful contaminants is essential to ensure students’ access to safe and clean drinking water.
You have the grant money, OASIS has the products. Act now and install units over holiday breaks. Providing clean drinking water is essential for a healthy future for ourselves and our students.
How can I use my awarded ESSER funding?
Replace old units to contactless bottle filling stations and drinking fountains, reducing the risk of virus transmission
Upgrade your filtration systems for safe, clean drinking water
Focus on your sustainability goals, reducing the use of single use plastic and waste with bottle filling stations
There is money still left in ESSER funds with limited time to spend it. Act now and install over holiday breaks!
In today’s world it is very common to see drinking fountains with bottle filling stations included. Stephanie Guttas, product manager at OASIS International, gave her insight on current trends and what is driving demand today and in the future.
“One prominent demand driver is corporate sustainability initiatives that mandate the removal or reduction of single-use plastic bottles. Consumer awareness around sustainability can create pull-through demand, and that awareness continues to grow.” Guttas adds that consumers continues to recognize the role hydration plays in a healthier lifestyle and thankfully we are all becoming better stewards of our environment.
While bottle fillers were once considered a luxury, they have shifted to an “expected” amenity in many workplaces and public spaces.
Stephanie Guttas, OASISInternational
Current trends include an increasing importance on aesthetics as a driver in purchasing decisions.
“Bottle fillers have become more prevalent, and customers are looking for more modern and sleek designs that blend naturally into upscale, contemporary environments,” she says. “Also, the demand for a more hygienic experience with bottle filling stations has become more pronounced as more users interact with these products daily.”
Guttas states OASIS’s newly redesigned stainless steel bottle fillers present a clean and polished appearance with unique features that address these concerns.
Guttas notes that the demand for water and the stress on supply shows no of decreasing. “We know bottle fillers can help mitigate some of these environmental threats in several ways, and we expect to see this category grow as we evolve our products to support that goal better.”
OASIS has the clean answer to provide water for public areas while limiting the spread of germs with innovative products. With a full suite of products, OASIS has the solutions to help keep your clients, visitors, employees, and tenants hydrated and healthy. Contact us today to learn your hydration solutions.
Hydration equipment in K-12 environments must stand up to a lot. Drinking water dispensers need to be rugged, because sometimes students don’t know their own strength (and some, as we know, like to cause mischief); they need to resist the spread of germs from being touched so frequently; and they need superior filtration to protect growing bodies from contaminants found in water, including lead. Finally, they need to be cost-effective and efficient to operate in order to protect the district’s bottom line.
OASIS® International introduces the K-12 Bottle Filler to address all these concerns and more. Any school can easily and quickly put this specially designed unit to work in their hallways, because it is a virtual plug-and-play retrofit to existing ADA-compliant OASIS drinking fountains dating back to 1995—and is itself ADA-compliant when used with OASIS models PG8AC or P8AM drinking fountains.
The single-piece polymer cabinet won’t rust or dent, and its polymer construction is less expensive than metal. The large 13-inch alcove on the bottle filler fits most tall sports bottles. The K-12 Bottle Filler’s mechanical activation uses no electricity for dispensing, so it costs less to operate and still works even during power outages. The large antimicrobial copper activation button is easy to push and helps reduce the potential transfer of pathogens.
Each unit comes with the new high-performance VersaFilter II, a certified 3,000-gallon lead reduction filter that treats water to both the bottle filler and the fountain. It provides a flexible water treatment solution that effectively reduces lead, cysts, and other contaminants in water while also filtering out chlorine taste and odor. It is tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 and NSF/ANSI Standard 42.
High-capacity VersaFilter II reduces the number of filter changeouts required in a year and allows them to be completed in minutes when it’s time, thanks to several new features found on the K-12 Bottle Filler. First, the filter is housed within the bottle filler on top of the drinking fountain. The bottle filler tips forward for easier access to the filter, with no need to disconnect any water lines or fittings or remove the front apron from the unit. Next, the included tether keeps the K-12 Bottle Filler stable during filter changeout, eliminating any need to set it aside or on the ground. Plus, automatic shut-off inside the filter head eliminates the need to shut off the water supply.
All of these features add up to a bottle filler that protects students, is easy to install and maintain, and has a lower cost of ownership.
Research and development professionals in the drinking fountain industry have long known that ultraviolet light is highly effective at inactivating harmful bacteria and other pathogens found in water. The challenge has been harnessing the UV light so that it is mercury-free, draws minimal energy, and becomes a cost-effective new feature that will appeal to end users. To meet this challenge, OASIS® International is introducing its new QUASAR™ bottle fillers.
QUASAR™ bottle fillers, for the first time ever, utilize an energy-efficient, ecologically smart, light-emitting diode (LED) to deliver UV light, specifically UV-C, to cleanse drinking water as it comes out of the dispenser.
QUASAR fillers achieve a 99.99% reduction of common waterborne pathogens, including giardia, legionella, listeria, cryptosporidium, shigella, and E. coli, among others. When paired with OASIS water filters, also available with each unit, QUASAR provides the ultimate in safe, pure, pathogen-free drinking water.
QUASAR’s exclusive UV-C LED is active directly at the dispense point, offering a number of advantages. First, it disinfects not only the water but the dispense point itself—protecting its surface from accidental hand touching or other contact that might carry bacteria. Second, the LED is always ready for action, requiring no time to “warm up” like conventional UV lamps. Not only do those traditional UV lights need time to get ready to disinfect, they get physically warm. QUASAR’s UV LEDs won’t heat the water, assuring a refreshing draw every time. Cool operation also means no fouling, no scaling, and no mineral deposits.
UV light exists between visible light and x-ray on the electromagnetic spectrum. It is divided into four subcategories: V-UV, UV-C, UV-B, and UV-A. UV-C photons are desirable for protection against pathogens because they penetrate organic cells and damage their DNA, rendering them incapable of reproduction and microbiologically dead.
QUASAR’s LEDs treat water without using harmful chemicals or altering taste. Where conventional UV lamps contain mercury, a hazardous material that requires special disposal, UV-C LEDs are mercury-free and easy to dispose of at the end of service life (which is estimated at three years or more). QUASAR’s LED assembly is self-contained and easy to replace.
For added protection, QUASAR’s alcove is manufactured with FRESHIELD®, OASIS’ exclusive silver-based antimicrobial compound, to prevent degradation and deterioration caused by bacterial growth. QUASAR marks a bold new step forward from OASIS and strategic partner AquiSense Technologies, the world’s largest supplier of UV-C LED disinfection systems, in the point-of-use battle against waterborne pathogens.
To find out more about the exciting new pathogen-fighting abilities of QUASAR, contact OASIS at 800.646.2747 or info@oasiscoolers.com.
Sometimes, saving money on a water cooler and fountain installation isn’t really a savings at all. Schools can learn this the hard way when they accept a bid that’s a few pennies lower per unit—then end up paying big money for repairs when things start to break.
OASIS® International manufactures a wide range of vandal-resistant coolers and bottle fillers designed with rough use in mind. They have the added strength needed to stand up to abuse from students or other members of the public.
Electricity and water usually don’t go together, but what if you need electricity to get a drink from the nearest water cooler? That’s the situation many people find themselves in when the power goes out and the only water source is electric coolers and bottle fillers. Luckily, Oasis® offers numerous bottle fillers with mechanical activation to assure users can fill their bottles to maintain hydration, even in a blackout. In fact, Oasis has every bottle filler configuration available with mechanical or electronic activation.
If you think a power outage is nothing to plan for, consider that the electrical grid loses power 285% more often now than in 1984, when data collection first began. Regardless of whether it’s aging electrical infrastructure, growing population, or natural disasters—each poses a special threat, and, depending on duration, clean drinking water becomes a matter of health at best and survival at worst.
Oasis Mechanical AquaPointe® Sports Bottle Fillers dispense water during power outages. Although AquaPointe fillers feature high-efficiency electrical cooling systems for cold, refreshing water when the grid is functioning properly, when the power goes out, water will keep flowing with the touch of a button.
