Clean, accessible drinking water is a basic need in every hospital.
Patients, staff and visitors depend on it daily. During long stays, medical treatment, or recovery, reliable hydration becomes more than just a convenience.
But even in healthcare, not every outlet used for drinking is as safe as it should be.
In August 2025, WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat confirmed elevated lead levels in drinking water at Perth Children’s Hospital.
This followed multiple detections of Legionella bacteria across Royal Perth Hospital outlets, as reported by The West Australian.
Both events raised public alarm and forced urgent attention on water safety.
WA Parliament responded with new rules. Hospitals must now report any water exceedance to the Department of Health and the Chief Health Officer immediately.
It’s no longer enough to act only after a problem arises. Hospitals need to get ahead of it.
Why Hospitals Can’t Wait Any Longer
These headlines weren’t isolated. They exposed fundamental gaps in how hydration points are managed and monitored.
The risk isn’t just about what’s in the water. It’s about where that water comes from and how it’s delivered.
The Problem with Drinking from the Wrong Outlet
Clinical handwash basins are for hygiene, not hydration.
They can create splash zones, carry biofilm, and increase the chance of contamination.
That’s why both the Australian Health Facility Guidelines and WA Health recommend a clear separation between handwashing and drinking outlets.
It’s easy to fix. You just need to act.
Hidden risks can create real problems. Here’s what to fix first.
- Install clear drinking points
- Use touch-free, dual-height bottle fillers in public areas and near patient zones.
- Add the right signage
- Label every drinking outlet clearly. Add “Not for drinking” signs to clinical basins if needed.
- Specify lead-free, certified products
- Only choose WaterMark-certified, fully lead-free drinking stations.
- Keep hydration within reach
- Make sure every waiting area, corridor and clinic has a visible and accessible drinking fountain.
What Every Hospital Needs to Check Today
Based on best practice and facility guidelines, every hydration unit should be:
- Lead-free and WaterMark certified
- Separated from any handwash basin
- Accessible, dual-height or DDA-compliant
- Touch-free with hygienic nozzles
- Easy to clean with clear signage and external drainage
Protecting Your Patients and Employees Starts Here
Clear, dedicated hydration solutions for hospitals do more than meet the rules. They keep people safe.
They help your hospital reduce confusion, manage risks, and meet compliance without stress. And they show your commitment to care.
Need help making your hospital’s drinking water safer?
Talk to our dedicated hospital & healthcare team about certified, lead-free solutions that fit your layout, meet compliance, and reduce risk for staff and patients.
