Are Water Dispensers Safe or a Hotbed for Bacteria?

Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health

Briana Mercola

Alternative Health, Health & Fitness

4.6 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 19 February 2026

⏱️ 11 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

A study published in AIMS Microbiology discovered that many commercial water dispensers harbor more bacteria than tap water due to biofilms and poor maintenance, raising public health concerns for offices, homes, and public-use systems worldwide
Biofilms are slimy layers of bacteria that stick to wet surfaces like water dispensers, pipes, and medical tools, making germs harder to eliminate with disinfectants, or even antibiotics
In Arizona, 73% of Water Vending Machines (WVMs) exceeded EPA limits for bacterial growth. These consistent findings point to a systemic hygiene issue in dispenser systems, not the water supply itself
To keep water dispensers safe, clean them every two to four weeks using either vinegar or diluted bleach (but never both together); remember that UV systems help reduce microbes but can't replace regular hands-on cleaning
To protect yourself from harmful contaminants, clean your water dispenser regularly, choose stainless steel bottles, and filter your water

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	When you walk over to that sleek, bubbling water cooler for a refreshing drink,
0:05.0	have you ever stopped to wonder if the machine itself is actually adding more to your water than it's taking out?
0:11.0	Welcome to Dr. Mercola's cellular wisdom.
0:15.0	Stay informed with quick, easy-to-listen summaries of our latest articles, perfect for when you're on the go.
0:20.0	No reading required.
0:21.5	Subscribe for free atmercola.com for the latest health insights.
0:27.1	Looking for trusted health wisdom you can hold in your hands.
0:30.9	Discover the life-changing books of Dr. Joseph Mercola at joyhousepublishing.com.
0:36.3	These titles bring decades of natural health research into practical steps for better energy,
0:41.6	stronger immunity, and clearer thinking.
0:44.3	Take charge of your health with guidance rooted in science and experience.
0:48.2	Visit joyhousepublishing.com now and claim your bonuses while they are available.
0:55.3	Hello and welcome to Dr. Mercola's cellular wisdom.
0:58.7	Today we are stripping back the plastic casing on a ubiquitous modern convenience, the water
1:04.2	dispenser. We all know the scene, the office break room, the gym, the waiting room, and
1:09.9	there it is, that hydration station,
1:12.0	usually with a little blue light,
1:13.8	promising pure chilled water.
1:16.3	So we've come a symbol of health, really.
1:17.7	It has.
1:18.4	But today, we're going to challenge that symbol.
1:20.5	We're diving into some findings that suggest
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Briana Mercola, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Briana Mercola and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.