Reducing Microbial Contamination in Water Storage & Dispensing Systems with Antimicrobial Technology

Water storage and dispensing systems present unique challenges when it comes to maintaining surface hygiene. From tanks and pipework to coolers, dispensing units and drainage components, surfaces are continuously exposed to moisture and a wide range of microorganisms associated with stored water environments.

For manufacturers supplying products into this space, there is increasing demand for materials that support higher hygiene standards without compromising durability or performance. This is where antimicrobial technology plays a critical role. Across each of these component types, hygiene performance is increasingly viewed as a core product requirement rather than an added extra.

Why Surface Hygiene Matters in Water Storage & Dispensing Applications

Water storage and dispensing systems are made up of several distinct component types, each with its own combination of moisture exposure, surface geometry and access for cleaning. Understanding where microbial persistence is most likely to occur and why, and helps explain where built-in antimicrobial protection adds the most value.

Water Storage Tanks

Large internal surfaces, low-turnover zones and extended dwell times mean tanks can allow sediment and biofilm to develop gradually on walls, baffles and the tank base. Left unmanaged, this build-up can affect perceived water quality and increases the frequency and intensity of cleaning required to keep internal surfaces in good condition. For manufacturers, this means tank design and material choice play a direct role in how easily a system can be kept in good condition between service visits.

Pipework, Joints & Fittings

Dead-leg sections, scale build-up and the internal geometry of joints and seals create areas that are difficult to reach through flushing or standard cleaning alone. These localised pockets can allow biofilm to persist even when the wider system has been recently serviced, with the potential to transfer microbial material further downstream. For manufacturers, this means joint design and material selection have a direct bearing on how much residual risk remains in a system once installation and flushing are complete.

Drainage Systems

Drains combine several conditions that favour microbial growth: organic matter, intermittent flow, residual moisture and limited light. They are also among the hardest components to clean thoroughly, due to restricted access and complex internal geometry. As a result, drainage components can become a recurring source of contamination that affects connected systems, even after surrounding areas have been cleaned. For manufacturers supplying drainage components into water systems, this makes drainage one of the more demanding areas to design for sustained surface hygiene.

Coolers & Dispensing Units

Touchpoints, drip trays, and internal valve mechanisms are exposed to intermittent moisture and frequent handling. Because these are also the most visible parts of a system to end users, any visible residue build-up around dispensing points can have an outsized effect on how clean a system appears to be, independent of its actual condition. For manufacturers, this places extra weight on the materials used at these visible touchpoints, where customers form much of their impression of overall product hygiene.

Across all of these component types, the common thread is the same: routine cleaning protocols remain essential, but they cannot maintain hygiene continuously between service intervals. This is the gap that built-in antimicrobial technology is designed to help close, reducing microbial load on treated surfaces throughout the product’s operational life, regardless of where it sits within the system.

BioCote® technology has been tested against a panel of microorganisms commonly associated with water storage and dispensing environments, including:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Escherichia coli
• Enterococcus faecalis
• Legionella pneumophila
• Salmonella enteritidis

These microorganisms are referred to collectively as the PEELS panel.

By integrating antimicrobial technology into materials, manufacturers can create products that support cleaner, more controlled environments. This built-in protection provides an additional layer of defence against microbial growth on product surfaces between routine cleaning, helping to enhance product performance, durability and long-term value.

If you are looking to differentiate your product range or strengthen performance in demanding water storage and dispensing environments, BioCote® offers a proven, scalable solution.

To learn more about integrating antimicrobial technology into your products, contact our team to discuss your requirements.

Proven Performance Across Key PEELS Microorganisms

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Tackling Biofilm-Forming Persistence

Testing conducted using ISO 22196 methodology demonstrated a 99.99% reduction in Pseudomonas aeruginosa on BioCote®-treated materials after 24 hours, compared to untreated control samples.

This is particularly relevant for manufacturers, as Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known for persistence and biofilm formation in water systems, making internal tank and pipe surfaces a key area for built-in protection.

E. coli as a Water System Condition Indicator

Escherichia coli is widely used as the primary indicator organism for assessing water system condition. In testing, BioCote®-treated materials achieved a 99.99% reduction after 24 hours compared to untreated controls.

For manufacturers, this is particularly relevant for components exposed to moisture and contact, such as taps, spouts and drip trays.

Enterococcus faecalis and Surface Cleanliness Evaluation

Enterococcus faecalis is used alongside E. coli to evaluate cleanliness in water systems. BioCote®-treated materials delivered a 99.97% reduction under the same 24-hour test conditions.

This supports manufacturers producing internal polymer components and access panels, where consistent surface performance is a priority.

Legionella pneumophila in Engineered Water Systems

Legionella pneumophila is associated with engineered water systems. Testing showed a 99.97% reduction on BioCote®-treated materials, reinforcing the role of built-in antimicrobial protection across tanks, coolers and pipework.

Salmonella enteritidis in Stored Water Environments

Salmonella enteritidis is relevant to stored water environments. BioCote®-treated materials achieved a 99.99% reduction after 24 hours, supporting manufacturers of lids, covers and access panels used across storage systems.

Across the panel, this corresponds to reductions ranging from 2.68 to 4.35 log reductions, equivalent to 99.79% to 99.99% versus the untreated control, with all control samples showing microbial persistence or growth over the same 24-hour period.

Up to 99.99% Reduction Against Common Water System Microbes

BioCote® showcases up to 99.99% reduction across indicator, environmental, waterborne and enteric organisms relevant to water storage and dispensing systems.

Taken together, these results show that BioCote® antimicrobial technology delivers reductions of up to 99.99% against the PEELS panel: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Legionella pneumophila and Salmonella enteritidis. These are five organisms widely used to assess condition and surface performance across water storage and dispensing environments.

This level of performance is demonstrated consistently across organism types, under standardised ISO 22196 testing conditions. For manufacturers, it shows that BioCote® antimicrobial technology can support surface hygiene across the full range of components that make up a water storage or dispensing system, from the tank itself through to pipework, drainage and dispensing points.

What BioCote® Technology Means for Manufacturers & End Users

Built-in antimicrobial technology brings distinct value to each side of the supply chain: manufacturers specifying and producing water system components, and the end users relying on them day to day. By using BioCote® antimicrobial technology, both groups gain something the cleaning regime alone can’t provide, continuous, built-in support for surface hygiene.

For Manufacturers

Integration Without Compromise Antimicrobial additives can be incorporated into plastics, polymers and other materials used across water storage and dispensing systems without affecting core product performance, finish, or durability.

Broad-Spectrum Efficacy Across the PEELS Panel Consistent performance across indicator, environmental, waterborne and enteric organism types supports versatility across tanks, pipework, coolers, drainage components and dispensing units, without needing a different solution for each part of the system.

Differentiation in Competitive Water System Markets In a sector where hygiene expectations continue to rise, antimicrobial functionality built into the material itself can serve as a clear point of differentiation, supporting product specifications and customer conversations alike.

For End Users

Continuous Protection Between Cleaning Cycles Because the technology works at the material level, treated surfaces continue to inhibit microbial growth in the periods between scheduled cleaning and maintenance, supporting, rather than replacing, routine servicing.

Added Confidence in Stored Water Systems For end users managing tanks, coolers, drainage or distribution systems, knowing that key components carry built-in, independently tested antimicrobial protection provides additional reassurance around surface hygiene.

Consistent Performance Over the Product Lifetime Because BioCote® technology is integrated during manufacture rather than applied afterwards, it does not wash off or wear away  so the same level of protection is in place on day one and throughout the expected lifetime of the product.

Supporting Hygiene Protocols, Not Replacing Them

It is important to note that antimicrobial technology is designed to complement, not replace, standard cleaning and maintenance practices. When integrated into materials, it works continuously to reduce microbial presence on surfaces, supporting  rather than substituting for  routine hygiene management across water storage, drainage and dispensing systems.

Applications Across Water Storage & Dispensing Products

Manufacturers can integrate antimicrobial technology into a wide range of applications, including:

• Water storage tanks
• Water pipes
• Drainage systems and components
• Water coolers and dispensing units
• Taps, spouts, and drip trays
• Lids, covers, and access panels
• Internal polymer components

Bringing Antimicrobial Innovation into Water System Design

BioCote® supports manufacturers from concept through to production, ensuring antimicrobial solutions are optimised for specific materials, processes, and end-use environments across the water sector.

As hygiene expectations across water storage and dispensing sectors continue to rise, integrating antimicrobial technology offers a practical, scalable way to enhance product performance and support improved surface hygiene  across every component, from the tank to the tap.

Why Choose BioCote® Technology

BioCote® antimicrobial technology is backed by over 30 years of global expertise and rigorous testing across multiple materials and applications. It delivers measurable reductions in microbial load within a short timeframe and continues working continuously between cleaning cycles.

Because the technology is integrated directly into the material during manufacturing, it becomes a permanent feature of the product. This ensures it remains effective for the expected lifetime of the item, without washing off or wearing away through use.

For manufacturers, this provides a reliable way to enhance product performance while maintaining material integrity, processing efficiency, and design flexibility.

BioCote® is supported by regulatory approvals in key global markets, including Great Britain, the European Union, and the United States, offering reassurance for international product development and supply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does antimicrobial technology replace the need for cleaning? No. BioCote® antimicrobial technology is designed to work alongside routine cleaning and maintenance, not replace it. It provides continuous, built-in support for surface hygiene between scheduled cleaning cycles.

How long does BioCote® antimicrobial protection last? Because the technology is incorporated into the material during manufacturing rather than applied to the surface afterwards, it becomes a permanent feature of the product and remains effective for the expected lifetime of the item, subject to correct use and manufacturing.

What testing standard is used to measure performance? BioCote® technology is tested using ISO 22196, a globally recognised method for assessing antimicrobial performance on surfaces, comparing treated samples against untreated controls under identical conditions.

Which water system components can be treated with BioCote® technology? Antimicrobial additives can be incorporated into a wide range of components, including water storage tanks, pipework, drainage systems, coolers and dispensing units, taps and drip trays, lids and access panels, and internal polymer parts.

Strengthening Water System Product Performance with BioCote®

As hygiene expectations continue to evolve across water storage, drainage and dispensing sectors, manufacturers are under increasing pressure to deliver