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On 30 January 2007 I was pleased to officially launch the Water@Work campaign in Portcullis House Westminster. It seems ironic to me that while millions are dying each year from a lack of safe drinking water in places like Africa and Asia, here in the UK more of us are turning our backs on the availability of perfectly good tap water in favour of bottled water.

Even though there is not a workplace anywhere that doesn’t have drinking water available by tap we take it for granted or simply ignore it in favour of buying bottled water. This is madness for two very important reasons. Firstly, mains fed drinking water is of the highest quality and conforms to strict European standards. Secondly bottled water, including carboy based water dispensers, are extremely environmentally damaging. Water is heavy and bottles have to hauled by lorry through busy congested streets to workplaces where staff then have to manhandle them into place. Additionally the disposal of used water bottles leads to a massive waste disposal problem.

It doesn’t have to like this. We can change. The Water@Work campaign aims to improve the standard of drinking water provision in all workplaces. The partners behind the campaign want to persuade every organisation that employs people to upgrade their drinking water provision by, ideally, installing mains fed drinking water dispensers in sufficient numbers and in convenient locations. Some employers may even save themselves money by doing so.

UNISON will be encouraging all its branches to take up this campaign. It provides a great opportunity for TU reps to work with employers to review their existing drinking water provision and where necessary to improve it.

The campaign represents a win, win, win!

• Win 1- Its good for workers. It keeps you hydrated and healthy. It’s a good health and safety issue.
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• Win 2 – Employers like it as it’s been proved that well hydrated employees are more alert and more productive.
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• Win 3 – The Water Companies/Authorities like it because it promotes the high quality of their mains fed drinking water.

Dave Prentis, General Secretary UNISON.