Not Drinking Water Sign (Pack of 20)

Weight: 1kg

Dimensions: 25.5 x 15.5 x 14.5 cm

Display this sign near any water sources that are not acceptable for drinking.

They are adhesive to walls and tiled surfaces.

These signs are waterproof.

Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers must ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees and visitors in workplaces. This covers the provision of potable water (water that’s clean enough to drink) and the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance states: “Drinking water does not have to be marked unless there is a significant risk of people drinking non-drinking water.” 

Most drinking water is pumped directly from the mains supply, but some cold water taps are supplied from water stored in a tank on the roof of the premises. If the storage tank is stored in an open or poorly covered water tank, or the water tank becomes damaged, there is a possibility the water in it will become contaminated. Hence the need for a ‘Not Drinking Water’ sign to be placed by every tap that’s served by the tank’s water.

These days, more businesses are installing greywater systems as a way of saving water. Greywater is water that’s clean enough to be reused, but not clean enough for drinking. Greywater systems divert the wastewater from sinks, showers and washing machines and use it to flush toilets, or it’s pumped to outside taps where it can be used to water grounds as well as wash vehicles and yards. Greywater taps must therefore be clearly labelled with a ‘Not Drinking Water’ sign. 

Drinking water is pumped directly from the main supply to the tap. Water that comes from a storage tank is not potable because of the risk of contamination. If you are unsure whether or not a tap gets water directly from the mains or from a storage tank, the advice of the Drinking Water Inspectorate is to “place your thumb over the tap outlet. If you are able to hold back all the water with your thumb when the tap is fully open, then the tap is likely to be connected to a tank, not the mains.”

To comply with health and safety regulations, ‘Not Drinking Water’ safety signs are essential. Only taps that are directly attached to the water mains can guarantee the water drawn from them is clean enough to be safe to drink. Water drawn from different sources, such as a storage tank, maybe clean enough, but there is no guarantee – there is a possibility that damage to the tank has let impurities into the water that could lead to illness if ingested. A self-adhesive ‘Not Drinking Water’ safety sign stuck next to the tap in question is an effective and cost-effective way of warning people not to drink the water and keep everyone safe.

The provision of potable water – water that’s clean enough to drink – is a fundamental health and safety requirement of all employers under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. In the UK, we are so used to turning on the tap to get clean, safe drinking water, we don’t even think about safety. This means that, if there is even a small possibility the water from a tap might not be 100% safe, a clear warning needs to be given to prevent people from drinking it. Distinctive and unambiguous ‘Not Drinking Water’ signs are the best way to do this.

The only information people need to know is that it’s not safe to drink the water. A safety notice needs to prevent people doing something that’s potentially dangerous, so the messaging needs to be simple and impactful.

When a tap is labelled with a ‘Not Drinking Water’ safety sign notice, it is telling you there could be consequences for drinking the water from it, even if it looks as clear as drinking water. In many cases, the ‘Not Drinking Water’ notice is a precautionary measure so if you do drink water, there could be no consequences. But that’s not always going to be the case. In many cases, the water will have come from a storage tank rather than the mains. If the lid of a storage tank comes loose, the tank will become contaminated with dust, dirt, germs, chemicals and anything that’s in the atmosphere. There’s also the possibility that animals could fall in and drown – all of which will contaminate the water. When ingested, any of these contaminants could cause health problems ranging from mild nausea or diarrhoea to more serious forms of poisoning. Making safety signs clearly visible

Rigid plastic is an excellent choice for not drinking water signs for several reasons. Firstly, it provides durability and longevity, ensuring your drinking water sign remains intact and legible over time. The rigid plastic material is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, making it versatile for various environments.

These prohibition safety signs typically come with self-adhesive backing, simplifying installation on different surfaces. The combination of self-adhesive vinyl and rigid plastic ensures a secure and long-lasting attachment, suitable for external use or on a smooth surface.

Additionally, the use of rigid plastic enhances the visibility of the water safety sign, making it easily noticeable by individuals to deter them from consuming non-potable water. This safety sign material is designed to withstand environmental conditions and is resistant to moisture, ensuring the safety sign’s effectiveness even in wet areas.

In summary, opting for rigid plastic for your not drinking water signs offers the benefits of durability, versatility, visibility, and resistance to environmental factors, making it a reliable choice for safety signage in various settings.