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 Different 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.
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
|
