Summary
of Laboratory Test Results
Purpose
Two independent scientific laboratories tested the WaterSafe™ System
in
1998 to determine its effectiveness at reducing the possible
entry of bacterial contaminants into the cold reservoir of a
bottled water
cooler.
Method
The labs tested five different models of bottled water coolers,
representative
of the coolers
manufactured by the three U.S. manufacturers.
Tested
coolers included those with plastic,
removable reservoirs as well
as fixed, stainless
steel reservoirs.
The tests required a total
of 15-coolers, three of each of the five models providing a positive
control, negative control, and test unit for each cooler model.
 Two
Separate Tests
The first test measured the
WaterSafe System's effectiveness in reducing bacterial
entry into cold reservoirs from the deliberately
contaminated outer surface of a 5 gallon bottle. This test
attempted to
mimic the effects of improper handling and/or
storage
of bottles. Lab personnel inoculated test bottles with
test bacteria at three locations on the outer surface of
the
bottle: the
shoulder, the neck and the lip/cap of
each bottle.
A sufficient
amount of water was used to ensure the bottle did not empty upon
application
to the cooler. (In
the cases where a WaterSafe cap was present
and used on the bottle, the test bacteria intended for the lip
of the
bottle was placed on the outer portion of the cap otherwise covering
the lip
of the bottle. Water was dispensed from each cooler and analyzed
for the
presence of the test bacteria.
The
Second Test
In this test, the lab measured the effectiveness of the
WaterSafe System at reducing the entry of airborne
bacterial contaminants
into the water reservoir during water
dispensing. Lab personnel aerosolized
test bacteria around
the bottles on the test coolers.
Water was dispensed from each cooler and analyzed for the
presence of
the test bacteria. After each test, all equipment was
cleaned and sanitized to prevent cross-contamination and
isolate the results of each test.
Lab Results
All coolers "not equipped" with the WaterSafe
System, in both tests,
had measurable amounts of
the test
bacteria in the
dispensed water.
 Did
the WaterSafe System work?
Coolers
using the WaterSafe System
showed an effective barrier to reduce
the possibility that contaminants from
the bottle
or airborne contaminants from entering the dispensed water.
In addition, all coolers tested
using the WaterSafe™ System, under both testing
methods, had no measurable amounts of the test
bacteria.
DATE:
September 9, 1998
FROM: Eric Korthals
COMPANY: Commonwealth Technology, Inc.
<< back to WaterSafe™ Systems
|
