Bacteriological quality of water from watercoolers

Abstract

Drinking watercoolers are point of use or bottled watercoolers. Point of use watercoolers should be regularly cleaned and disinfected and in operation, filter moving six-monthly. Elevated counts of Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) bacteria and Pseudomonas often show a water supply network contamination and insufficient maintenance or use of the watercooler. Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) method is used for water quality control in packaging and handling of bottled watercooler. Elevated HPC counts are in relation with normal evolution of a bottled water. The presence of other microorganisms may be in relation with the process of bottle cleaning/disinfection