Elkay provides commercial drinking water solutions engineered for high-traffic environments. Our filtered bottle filling stations and water coolers improve water quality, support ADA compliance, and help reduce single-use plastic waste. Designed for schools, healthcare, and workplace settings, these hydration systems combine durability, filtration performance, and modern touchless technology.Elkay drinking fountains come with optional filtration to reduce lead, chlorine, and particulates. Models that include filtration are clearly marked and use NSF-certified filters.Elkay’s Green Ticker™ to track bottles saved. Compatibility depends on the fountain’s manufacturer, model, and age, with options for both wall-mounted and recessed units. If the fountain is chilled, the cooling carries over, while older models may not be ideal for retrofitting. Alternatives include installing a surface-mount bottle filler near the fountain, adding a separate filtration unit, or replacing the fountain entirely with a modern combination unit if it’s outdated or incompatible.When choosing a hands-free drinking fountain, look for features that prioritize hygiene, convenience, and durability. Modern options use motion sensors, foot pedals, or even smartphone apps for touchless activation to reduce germ spread. Hygiene is enhanced with antimicrobial surfaces, protective bubblers, integrated drains, and in some advanced models, UV or ozone sterilization. For performance, consider built-in multi-stage filtration with indicator lights, chilled water, high-flow bottle fillers with digital sustainability counters, adjustable sensor ranges, and automatic shut-off to conserve water. Durability is also key heavy-duty stainless steel, vandal-resistant parts, and indoor/outdoor ratings ensure long-term reliability. Finally, ADA compliance makes fountains accessible to all users, while energy-efficient certification and easy maintenance features like removable drip trays and self-cleaning functions help minimize costs and upkeep.Some outdoor-rated fountains are built with durable construction and both vandal-resistant and freeze-resistant features. Always check the model’s specifications for outdoor compatibility.ADA-compliant drinking fountains are designed to make hydration accessible and safe for everyone, especially people with disabilities. For wheelchair users, they must provide clear floor space (30×48 inches), at least 27 inches of knee clearance, and spout heights no higher than 36 inches, often offered in dual-level designs. Spouts must be located at the front, projecting water forward for easy access. For people with limited dexterity, controls must be operable without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting, requiring no more than 5 pounds of force—often achieved with touchless sensors. For visually impaired users, fountains must be placed along accessible routes, designed with cane-detectable aprons to prevent protruding hazards, and sometimes include tactile or visual indicators for easier use. Inclusive features like integrated bottle fillers (with controls no higher than 48 inches) and hi-lo models support a broader range of users, from children to adults, ensuring equitable access in public and commercial spaces.Filters should typically be replaced every 3,000 gallons or six months, whichever comes first, although you should consult the labeling on your particular filter. View available replacement filters based on your model.Elkay offers filter retrofit kits that can be added to many existing Elkay water delivery products. The EWF3000 Filter System Kit converts a non-filtered bottle filler into a filtered unit. The EWF172 Filter System Kit converts a non-filtered cooler or fountain into a filtered unit. See table below for all retrofit options.Filtered drinking fountains improve water quality by removing contaminants (like lead, chlorine, and bacteria), enhancing taste and odor, and encouraging better hydration—especially valuable in schools and offices. They also reduce plastic waste by promoting reusable bottles, though they come with higher upfront and maintenance costs since filters need regular replacement. Unfiltered fountains, on the other hand, are cheaper and require little upkeep but can expose users to contaminants from old pipes, unpleasant tastes or odors, and bacteria buildup on surfaces. Ultimately, filtered fountains are the safer, more reliable option for health and taste, particularly in older buildings or areas with questionable water quality.Upgrading a water cooler for filtration can be done in two main ways: adding an inline filter or converting it to a bottleless, point-of-use (POU) system. If you have a standard bottled water cooler, you can attach a filtration system that works with 5-gallon jugs—these filters either sit on top of the cooler or drop into the reservoir to clean the water before dispensing, with replacement cartridges typically changed every 6 months. If you prefer a permanent solution, you can convert to a bottleless (POU) system by connecting your cooler directly to a cold water line with an installed filter or multi-stage system, such as carbon or reverse osmosis. This setup provides unlimited filtered water, though it requires access to plumbing and a higher upfront cost. In short: bottled cooler upgrades are easier and cheaper with basic filtration, while POU conversions offer continuous, higher-purity water with more installation effort.Elkay offers a range of filtered water coolers and dispensers for both residential and commercial use, including their popular ezH2O series, which use certified WaterSentry® activated carbon filters to improve taste and reduce contaminants such as lead, chlorine, Class 1 particulates, and in some cases, PFOA and PFOS (“forever chemicals”). Many units feature hands-free, sensor-activated dispensing for improved hygiene, while offering both built-in and wall-mounted designs to suit different spaces. Refrigerated options provide chilled water, and some bottle-filling stations include Elkay’s Green Ticker™, which tracks the number of disposable plastic bottles saved to promote sustainability. Models such as the Liv™ Built-In Refrigerated Water Dispensers combine sleek design with advanced filtration, making Elkay a trusted choice for clean, safe, and convenient hydration.Elkay and Oasis drinking fountains, both brands offer high-quality commercial filtration systems, but with different strengths. Elkay is known for its proprietary WaterSentry® technology, providing NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certified filters that reduce lead, PFAS (PFOA/PFOS), microplastics, cysts, chlorine taste, and odor. Elkay filters are designed for convenience, featuring quick-turn, easy-to-install cartridges with automatic shut-off valves, and many units include filter life monitors. Depending on the model, Elkay filters can last from 2,250 gallons up to 6,000 gallons, making them ideal for high-traffic areas. In contrast, Oasis focuses on flexibility, offering a variety of filtration systems that work with interchangeable cartridges tailored to specific contaminant needs. This allows customization based on water quality issues, though performance depends on the cartridge used, and filter replacement procedures vary by model. In short, Elkay offers robust contaminant reduction and ease of maintenance, while Oasis emphasizes system flexibility and customization, so the best choice depends on your filtration needs, maintenance preferences, and water quality requirements.