by Fern Shaw | Jun 23, 2023 | Water Coolers
Construction companies are part of a specialised industry and as such, so are their requirements. A crucial part of these requirements is that construction sites adhere to regulations that ensure the health and safety of all on site.
One such requirement is that there is adequate hydration available to the entire workforce on site for the duration of the construction.
The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) states, in part:
Drinking water
Drinking water must be provided or made available at readily accessible and suitable places.
This is where AquAid rises to the occasion.
AquAid are the premier choice for the provision of water coolers nationwide across the UK. We are also the preferred supplier to a number of specialised industries, one of these being to the construction industry, as we understand the specific requirements that construction companies, albeit large or small, have.
Incorporated into our water cooler provision to construction companies we offer the following services as a standard:
- Emergency delivery and collection of water coolers.
- Next day call-outs for repairs.
- Educational hydration package for workers, highlighting the importance of remaining hydrated at work to reduce the risk of accidents.
- Supply of both 240V and 110V water coolers.
- Dedicated account managers on both a local and national level.
Contact us to find out more about our unique services we offer to the Construction Industry.
by Fern Shaw | May 24, 2023 | aquaid, water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers
This month of Mental Health Awareness, we have looked at how drinking enough water can aid our ability to reduce anxiety and boost our mental wellbeing. In this blog, we focus our attention to the effects dehydration can have on the brain and possible solutions.
*Almost every bodily function relies on water. Because 75% of brain tissue is water, dehydration reduces energy production in the brain and can change brain structure, causing the brain to slow down and not function properly.
At the molecular level, if water levels are too low, our brain cells cannot function properly, with the brain showing signs of working harder to complete tasks.
Our cells recognise a state of dehydration as a threat to survival, leading to a state of anxiety. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (a chemical messenger between brain cells) that stabilises our mood and regulates emotions. During dehydration, we struggle to get the chemicals required to produce serotonin into our brain.
Being just half a litre dehydrated may also increase the stress hormone cortisol, which has been associated with a range of mental disorders, including anxiety.
Drinking water, maintaining good hydration habits is proven one of the simplest methods to counteract low mood, anxiety and other stresses associated with insufficient water intake.
If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your staff at your establishment or organisation, speak to us at AquAid. From the smallest office space and staff contingent to multinational companies that employ hundreds of staff, AquAid have a drinking water solution tailor-made to suit your requirements.
source* Nikolaij Travica – article at The Conversation
by Fern Shaw | May 17, 2023 | water cooler, Water Coolers
It may seem simplistic that water consumption can reduce or increase one’s anxiety however, considering water constitutes 60–80% of the human body, this isn’t such a far stretch.
In fact, the evidence shows water and hydration can play a role in preventing and managing the symptoms of anxiety.
A review by researchers focused on the various ways hydration impacts health. **
One trial induced mild dehydration and found increased reports of tension or anxiety and fatigue in participants.
When researchers increased the participants’ water intake, people in the study felt more happiness, no matter how much water they normally drank.
Another large study found people who drink five cups or more of water per day were at lower risk of depression and anxiety. In comparison, drinking less than two cups per day doubles the risk. This link was less noticeable for anxiety alone (although feelings of depression and anxiety often influence each other).
Whichever way we look at the research results, it shows that drinking water regularly can only contribute to one’s mental health and overall a better feeling of wellbeing.
source* Joe Pindar – report at Champion Health
source** Nikolaij Travica – article at
by Fern Shaw | Apr 19, 2023 | water cooler, Water Coolers
It seems as it was just yesterday that we were all in the icy grip of winter and then lo and behold, we’re in our second month of Spring – not even time to catch our collective breath as we watch the seasons rollercoaster past.
Now that we’re in this burgeoning season, we thought we’d have a look at dispelling a few myths about the Spring Equinox. According to an article in the Farmers’ Almanac:
Myth: You Won’t Have A Noontime Shadow
Reality: Technically, this myth is somewhat true. However, conditions have to be incredibly precise for this to happen. It’s all about being the right place at the right time. Since the Sun is always at an angle to you, you always cast a shadow. In order not to cast a shadow, the Sun needs to be directly overhead. Because the Sun is situated over the equator at the equinox, you’d have to be standing at the equator precisely at noon on the day of the equinox for this to happen.
Myth: The Equinox Is A Day-Long Event
Reality: An equinox doesn’t take all day – it’s only a moment in time! The true equinox an exact moment in which the Sun passes over the equator—blink and you’ll miss it.
Myth: The Spring Equinox Can Alter Your Mood
Reality: This is another one of those myths based partly in truth. In actuality, the Sun moving across the equator has no real effect on emotions. But, seasonal changes can and often do play a big part in moods. So while the moment of the vernal equinox itself isn’t responsible for changes in your emotions, it’s likely that around this time of year you’re experiencing at least a little bit of spring fever, or leftover effects of the winter’s shorter days.
The equinox’s significance centres on the Sun’s position relative to the equator. It’s the astronomical start of spring, which means longer days for those of us in the northern hemisphere.
Speaking of mood and now we’re perking up due to the current season; let’s look at one of the simplest and easiest routes to improving your mood and outlook. That is to keep you properly hydrated.
Speak to us at AquAid for all your water requirements (we have something for all seasons). We offer a range of hydration stations, be those water dispensers for the little ‘uns at schools, or for drinking water at work, whether in warehouses, building sites, medical facilities, events, theatres or the hospitality industry – the list goes on.
by Fern Shaw | Mar 27, 2023 | mains fed water cooler, Water Coolers
Needing to drink water often is something that affects us all. None more so than when performing on stage. This is something we commonly see, particularly with stand-up comedians.
The performer invariably keeps a bottle of water with them onstage from which they often sip. Being funny and getting laughs can be mouth drying, itchy throat, and perspiration drenching work, as many comedians can attest.
The same can be said for all thespians who tread the boards performing for an audience. And we imagine this was no different over 2,000 years ago when the first theatre appeared in Ancient Greece.
It isn’t only the performers who need to ensure they constantly hydrate though. Putting on any production is thirsty work! Theatre is the sum of many parts: stagehands, stage and set design, building, costume design, sound and lighting technicians, narrators, stand-ins, ushers, ticket sales – all play an important role in making sure that the performance works!
At AquAid, we are very proud to be associated with provision of cool, refreshing drinking water dispensed from our bottled and mains water coolers for the duration of countless productions across the UK – from small community playhouses to grand theatre and every type of event in-between.
It’s with this in mind that we wish all those involved in this incredible profession, who have delighted, shocked, inspired and enthralled with their craft, a wonderful #WorldTheatreDay! Encore!
by Fern Shaw | Mar 16, 2023 | Africa Trust, Water Coolers
As you know, here at AquAid we tend not to err on the side of caution when talking about water. Especially drinking water. Clean, fresh drinking water in Africa, where millions of people do not have access to the life giving stuff as we do. It may seem a bit negative, but that isn’t really the case.
These two articles are case in point.
The first, from The Daily Mail, reads:
‘Huge reserves of underground water in some of the driest parts of Africa could provide a buffer against the effects of climate change for years to come, scientists said.
Researchers from the British Geological Survey and University College London have for the first time mapped the aquifers, or groundwater, across the continent and the amount they hold.
‘The largest groundwater volumes are found in the large sedimentary aquifers in the North African countries Libya, Algeria, Egypt and Sudan,’ the scientists said in their paper.’
The other, from The Telegraph, states:
‘Scientists using technology developed to search for oil have discovered a vast underground water reservoir in one of Kenya’s driest regions that if properly managed could supply the country’s needs for close to 70 years.
Researchers from a French-American firm, Radar Technologies International, worked with the Kenyan government and UNESCO to layer satellite, radar and geological maps on top of each other, and then used seismic techniques developed to find oil to identify the reservoir.
It lies in Kenya’s extreme northwest, close to its borders with South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda. The area is sparsely populated and prone to conflict over existing scarce resources.’
See, now, this is actually marvellous news, but with this, a word of caution:
“But knowing there’s water there, and then getting it to the surface, are two different things …” Brian McSorley, a water expert at Oxfam in Nairobi, said.
And therein lays the rub. Deep underground there is potable water – even in the Sahara Desert – but reaching it can be problematic.
That’s why sustainable, practical and cost-effective solutions are important. One such solution that has been in operation for over a decade now, addressing this exact problem, can be found through The Africa Trust. A charity started by AquAid and Ian Thorpe. One of the many solutions that this award-winning organisation provides is the building of Elephant Pumps throughout disadvantaged communities across Africa.
No, they don’t use real elephants. The Elephant Pump is a water pump based on an ancient Chinese design. The pump has been adapted to make it stronger and more durable. It is built from and maintained using materials that are locally available in remote rural sub-Saharan African communities. The design and build of these pumps is such that 95% are still in operation today – a figure 40% above the average for the continent.
If you are interested in installing high-quality water coolers in your organisation, which not only dispense refreshing drinking water for your entire staff contingent but also ensure automatic donations that fund the provision of sustainable water projects for thousands of communities, contact us here at AquAid Water Coolers today.
