Even if customers have no complaints over sub-standard food and beverages, low quality water can damage machinery. One of the most damaging water quality issues is scale caused by dissolved minerals deposited onto machine surfaces. This may lead to more machine breakdowns, require more maintenance and ultimately reduce machine lifetimes. For example:

• Scale on heating elements can reduce energy efficiency as it reduces heat transfer
• ‘Hidden’ scale — which blocks pipes, valves and other internal components — reduces flow rates and can also cause internal leaks
• Scale buildup can cut machine lifespan despite a lifetime of increased maintenance to keep it running

Unhappy customers and unreliable machinery can only lead in one direction: a negative effect on business. Here are just a few examples of how poor water quality can directly affect business:

• Machines can break down more frequently or work sporadically if scale is present and may not be available when they should be generating income and lead to an overall higher cost of ownership
• Customers could become unsatisfied with beverage quality, therefore tarnishing the brand's reputation
• Unreliable working conditions, regular disruption from service engineers and handling customer complaints may affect the morale of staff
• Ultimately, this all links back to an increase in running costs for the business — and therefore reduced profits