Integrated drinking water tap solutions: Why to avoid over-the-sink taps

Sally Laurie | | Articles

When considering a drinking water solution for the workplace, hospitality or healthcare environments, there are many considerations, including which water options to go for, such as hot and sparkling, chilled and ambient, or which format of drinking dispenser would work best in the space, a floor-standing dispenser or an integrated tap system. Integrated drinking water tap solutions offer significant advantages over traditional setups. One of the more crucial choices is between an over-the-sink drinking tap and a stand-alone, integrated drinking water tap. While over-the-sink taps may seem convenient at first glance, they come with significant drawbacks that make them less practical, less safe, and less appealing overall.

This article will highlight the pitfalls with opting for an over-the-sink drinking tap and why it might not be the best choice when selecting a filtered water system for the workplace.

Inconvenient operation requiring two hands – one hand is needed to hold the glass and the other to operate the tap—making it difficult to multitask or handle other items simultaneously. This can also make access to drinking water a challenge for those with reduced dexterity.

Serious scalding risks – safety is one of the most pressing reasons to avoid an over-the-sink drinking tap. These taps often require users to hold their glass or cup under the spout when making cup of tea or coffee, significantly increasing the risk of scalding when dispensing hot water. Accidents can happen quickly, especially when an uninformed or distracted user assumes that a boiling tap is safe for handwashing.

Encourages hand washing with a drinking tap – mixing handwashing with drinking water is unsanitary and inefficient. Over-the-sink taps are often mistaken for general-purpose taps, leading to improper use. People may wash their hands under the drinking water tap, introducing germs and residues to an area intended for clean water. This dual-purpose use compromises hygiene and defeats the purpose of having a dedicated drinking tap.

Dirty dishes – who wants to drink water from the same area used for washing hands and scrubbing dirty dishes? Over-the-sink taps are often surrounded by clutter, creating a less-than-appealing spot to grab a refreshing drink.

Increased queuing in busy environments – in workplaces, kitchens, or communal areas, a multi-purpose over-the-sink tap can create bottlenecks. Employees waiting to wash hands, rinse utensils, or fill water glasses all compete for the same tap, leading to unnecessary delays.

Falls short in aesthetics – over-the-sink taps are not very visually appealing. They lack clean lines and polished design, often clashing with the overall aesthetic of the space. For environments where professionalism and style matter, an over-the-sink solution falls short.

Advantages of an integrated drinking water tap

By opting for a stand-alone integrated drinking water tap, these issues can be alleviated.

Easy to use convenience: The Borg & Overström T3 tap operates via a push button panel, where the user can easily place their glass underneath the taps and with one finger, press the desired water option, whether it be chilled, sparkling, ambient or hot. There is no need to hold a glass, and anyone with reduced dexterity will be able to access fresh, chilled drinking water, with DDA compliance and accessibility measures built into the design.

Hygiene: A dedicated integrated drinking water tap eliminates the risk of contamination from handwashing or dirty dishes. By offering a designated space for drinking water, it ensures a cleaner, more hygienic experience, transforming the act of getting a drink into a refined and pleasant activity, free from the hassle of competing with a sink cluttered with dirty dishes.

Pouring a glass of water from a T3 integrated drinking water tap

Aesthetics: A stand-alone integrated drinking tap, like the Borg & Overström T3 tap, is a sleek and modern addition to any kitchen or workspace, with its contemporary design and striking aesthetics.

Pour a herbal tea from a T3 integrated tap system

Safety: Stand-alone drinking water taps such as the T3 tap, is typically designed with safety in mind, and features a special safety mechanism for dispensing hot water, designed to eliminate the risk of scalding. When no sink is present there is no risk of a user accidentally using the tap for handwashing.

Efficiency: Reduces queuing by separating drinking water from other sink activities, helping to streamline workflows and reduce frustration

Unlimited placement: As a standalone unit, the tap can be positioned anywhere, thanks to its compatibility with a Bluetooth waste kit, eliminating the need for mains waste drainage.

Conclusion

An over-the-sink drinking tap may seem like a cost-effective solution, but the hidden drawbacks—hygiene concerns, safety risks, and inefficiency—far outweigh any initial savings of investing in a specific, filtered, drinking water tap. A stand-alone integrated drinking tap is the superior choice for anyone looking to prioritise convenience, cleanliness, style, and safety in their drinking water setup. Making the right refreshment choice in the working environment ensures a better experience for everyone.