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Providing exceptional drinking water within a WELL Standard Certified Building 

Sarah Goldsmith | Sustainability, Hygiene, Innovation | Choosing the right water dispenser | Articles

In contemporary workplaces, there’s a strong focus on crafting environments that enhance employees’ health and wellbeing. Health being hedonic pleasure and feeling good, as well as the physiological aspects of health, and wellbeing as the physical, mental and social wellbeing of an individual.  

Various approaches are being embraced to ensure that every aspect of the workspace prioritises human needs.

Whether it’s the choice of construction materials, water filtration systems, air quality control, ergonomic furnishings, or biophilic design elements, all factors are carefully considered in the pursuit of an exceptional workplace experience.  

The three approaches which will be reviewed in this article are: 

  • WELL Standard Certification which focuses on creating positive well-being from building design. 
  • Fitwel healthy building certification which evaluates how buildings can promote health. 
  • Foresight, defining 5 ways to well-being. 

WELL Standard Certification is a global rating system that recognises buildings designed and constructed to support the health and wellbeing of their occupants. It has been devised as the worlds leading healthy building certification program which architects and building designers are aspiring to. The WELL standard is based on scientific research and shows results of increased productivity by employees. While on the contrary, research has shown that a badly designed office can lead to stress and physical discomfort and decreased productivity. WELL standard addresses the relationship between physical well-being and human health and intrinsically links the two through buildings and workspace design. 

Companies aspire to achieve ‘Fitwel healthy building certification’ which evaluates how effectively buildings promote the health and well-being of its occupants. Developed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the General Services Administration, it provides valuable guidance on designing and managing healthier buildings.  

Key benefits of Fitwel certification include: 

  • Improved occupant health and wellbeing 
  • Increased tenant satisfaction 
  • Enhanced reputation 
  • Potential cost savings (i.e. through reduced absenteeism of occupants) 

Fitwel or WELL accredited office space is important not only for productivity and as a duty of care for staff, but also to retain and attract talent who are now putting emphasis on health and wellbeing aspects when selecting a role. 

The government has also produced a report to support wellbeing, ‘Foresight’, which then led to the definition of the ‘five ways to wellbeing’, (Connect, Keep Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, Give) this can be considered when creating office spaces, ensuring that the hedonistic desires of the employees as well as the social, mental and physical needs are met. The five ways include: 

  • Connect – with the people around you, in all environments. 
  • Be active – cycle, walk, run, move. 
  • Take notice – be curious, make comments, reflect. 
  • Keep learning – rediscover an old interest, learn a new skill. 
  • Give – do something for someone, volunteer your time. 

Companies whilst striving to meet performance standards through the accreditations outlined above, can show their commitment to exceptional office space and well-being of their office staff through some practical steps. Here we’ll go through a few examples: 

Access to pure, filtered water 

The installation of water filtration systems to provide access to clean and purified, quality drinking water is a clear benefit to the working environment. 

At Borg & Overström, since the beginning, we set out to provide sustainably superior water, without plastic bottles. We understand the importance of water and sustainable practices within the modern workspaces. Our beautifully designed water solutions ensure each glass or re-fillable bottle is filled with clean, fresh, filtered water, helping you to remain healthy and hydrated as well as duly productive. Our products provide high-quality water by filtering out particles and microplastics, ensuring clean and safe drinking water. 

Providing quality air filtration 

By installing high-quality air filtration systems to remove pollutants and allergens from indoor air, it can make staff more comfortable and create a nicer environment. Ensuring adequate ventilation is crucial for circulating fresh air throughout the workspace. 

Bringing greenery into the office 

Biophilic Design can integrate natural elements such as plants, natural light, and water features into the workspace. Incorporating biophilic design principles in office layout and architecture to mimic natural environments can help to keep stress out of the working environment, as can creating green spaces or outdoor areas where employees can connect with nature during breaks. 

Eliminating single use plastic 

Single use plastic is high on the agenda for elimination so it’s no surprise that implementing policies to minimise such plastic consumption, such as providing reusable water bottles and containers, is on the increase. Within the workspace, offering alternatives to plastic packaging and utensils in office cafeterias and break rooms is becoming more commonplace and encouraging recycling and providing easily accessible recycling bins. Removing plastic and replacing with more sustainable options helps to elevate the work place and create a better feeling of health and wellbeing. 

Our drinking water dispensers are available through selected partners