Water dispensing machines in commercial spaces may contain higher levels of microbial contamination if they aren’t cleaned regularly every few days- compared to the tap water sources supplying them that contain residual chlorine

> Loma Linda University researchers conducted a literature review of 70 published studies from around the world that examined commercial water nozzles and spigots

> Researchers found that many studies identified bacterial growth in commercial water dispensers and restaurant soda fountains appearing within a few days after disinfection, far sooner than previously thought.

>Commercial water vending machines “are intended to improve water quality through filtration, their performance depends heavily on maintenance, sanitation practices, filter replacement schedules, and biofilm control within the dispensing systems,” the study stated. “When these are inadequate, [water vending machines] can introduce or enable the regrowth of microorganisms, leading to contamination levels that may equal or exceed those found in the original tap water source.”
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>This research is the first known compilation of research from around the world on microbial contamination in water dispensing machines, Sinclair said.

[Microbiological quality of drinking water from water dispensers](https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/microbiol.2025039)

Pathogenic bacteria? Or the normal environmental bacteria that are basically everywhere around us at all times?

there’s slime in the ice machine