What Is WaterMark? Why It Matters for Water Coolers and Drinking Fountains

WaterMark is Australia's certification scheme for plumbing products. If a water cooler or drinking fountain connects to your mains water, check it's WaterMark certified before you buy, because your plumber may not be allowed to install it otherwise.

What WaterMark is

The WaterMark Certification Scheme is a mandatory national scheme for plumbing and drainage products, run by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB). Accredited certifiers test products against approved specifications, and certified products are listed on the WaterMark Product Database.

Why it matters when you buy

  • Your plumber can't install an uncertified product where WaterMark is required. Victoria's building regulator says a licensed or registered plumber "is prohibited from installing a product that does not have WaterMark certification".
  • Products that touch drinking water generally need it, including fixtures, valves, pipes and fittings.
  • Not every product needs it. The ABCB keeps a schedule of products that need certification and a schedule of products that are excluded.
  • Buying from overseas or an online marketplace? Check the certification before you pay, not after the plumber arrives.

Plumbed-in or bottled?

WaterMark is about products connected to the water supply. That makes it most important for plumbed-in water coolers, drinking fountains, bubblers and bottle fillers. A bottled water cooler isn't plumbed in, so the question rarely comes up.

WaterMark on our range

The Aqua Cooler M11 (M Series) drinking fountain carries WaterMark licence WMK26317, and Aqua Cooler lists its AC-WM4, AC-WM5, SU600, SU650 and Maximus models as WaterMark certified. Each product page shows what the manufacturer states for that model.

How to check a product

  1. Ask the seller for the WaterMark licence number.
  2. Search for it on the ABCB's WaterMark Product Database.
  3. Or just give us a call. We'll confirm the certification before you buy.

Questions? Call us anytime on 0414 602 800 or 1300 55 32 82. We've been supplying water coolers and drinking fountains since 2003 and we're happy to help.

Sources: ABCB WaterMark scheme overview; Victorian Building Authority WaterMark guide; Aqua Cooler M Series product information.

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