Water in the building as part of workplace environmental quality

Access to clean drinking water is one of the basic elements affecting comfort and the overall quality of a building environment. In both WELL and LEED, water-related issues are recognised as an important part of creating healthy and responsibly designed spaces.

Three areas are particularly important:

Accessibility – drinking water points should be located so that they are convenient and accessible to all users.

Quality – regular testing, appropriate filtration and monitoring of key parameters are essential to maintaining water safety.

User awareness – clear signage and effective communication can help encourage healthy hydration habits.

For building owners, property managers and facility managers, this is a relatively simple area in which thoughtful solutions can make a tangible difference to user comfort and workplace quality. Well-planned access to drinking water should therefore be treated as one of the fundamental elements of responsible building management.