UK Water Dispensers top 800,000 for first time

The UK water dispense industry beat its pre-covid performance in 2022, according to the latest UK Water Dispense Market report from Zenith Global Commercial.

The total number of water dispensers installed in December 2022 passed 800,000 for the first time. 46% were point of use mains water dispensers. Bottled water dispensers now account for 43%, having been overtaken by point of use in 2021. Multi-functional integrated tap systems make up the remaining 11%.

Despite severe cost and wage inflation combined with the end of covid restrictions and favourable summer weather, the industry’s revenue rose only marginally to £177 million. “Competition in the sector remains intense and many people have not returned to full-time office working,” commented Zenith Global Chairman Richard Hall, speaking at the Water Dispenser & Hydration Association conference on 16 March. “That is a key factor, since 80% of bottled water and point of use dispensers are installed in workplaces.”

“Competition in the sector remains intense and many people have not returned to full-time office working. That is a key factor, since 80% of bottled water and point of use dispensers are installed in workplaces.”

Among other findings presented from the Zenith Global report:

• The average bottled water throughput per dispenser was 790 litres, saving on plastic use by providing returnable and refillable bottles.
• The number of integrated tap systems has grown 32% in the past 5 years.
• Point of use for homes was the fastest growing segment in 2022.
• Zenith Global forecasts continuing moderate and steady growth by most measures over the coming 5 years to 2027, taking the total number of water dispensers up to 840,000.