Discovering a new world in Northumbria

Whilst a UK wide and now export product, HydraChill has secured a special bond with the city of Newcastle, establishing a number of water industry landmarks.

It was here that HydraChill’s exclusive 2-in-1 combined water and bottle facility was piloted, sponsored by Northumbrian Water. Very appropriately the unit was commissioned at the city’s splendid Discovery Museum, renowned for showcasing the North East’s history of pioneering inventions.

HydraChill’s customisable blueprint enabled Discovery museum to charge a nominal fee for water as a helpful contribution to museum funds, combined with revenue from the sale of reusable bottles that have proven a popular souvenir item among the museums 3 million annual visitors.

Among interested local observers of this new hydration facility were Northumbria University, about to commission their new £35m Sports Central facility at the university’s city campus. What followed helped create its own landmark in water refilling history.

The university installed the first of two HydraChill units at the Sports Central complex and what quickly became six units across campus. Within five years the Sports Central fitness suite unit had broken the one million users barrier. This was a hitherto unrivalled achievement in water refilling history (albeit since achieved with other HydraChill units) and helped make clear the popularity of an appealing free water solution.

It also helped establish beyond doubt HydraChill’s reputation for durability and reliability and became an award-winning project.

The story doesn’t end there, however. In best ‘Trigger’s Broom ‘ tradition, the lifespan and longevity of a HydraChill unit has been proven limitless. Both Discovery Museum and Sports Central have undertaken a full rebranding exercise on their units, which despite countless customer uses continue to look and operate as good as new.