Hydration on the Frontlines: Water Service Strategies for Oil, Gas, and Energy Teams

In decades past, not much attention was paid to how much water we were drinking—this, despite the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board releasing official water consumption guidelines back in 1945 (recommending an intake of about ten 8-ounce glasses of water per day). The confusion is said to have stemmed from the belief that most prepared foods contained enough fluid to offset the “10 glasses per day” rule.

Between that era and the early 2000s, information about hydration strategies, how much water was the right amount to consume in a day, and how much was too much fluctuated quite a bit.

With the introduction of sports drinks formulated to replenish electrolyte loss during workouts, awareness around the importance of adequate hydration began to grow. By 2005, the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academies of Medicine) established evidence-based recommendations that included water from all sources.

Water and Our Health

Water makes up about two-thirds of our body weight. It carries nutrients through our bodies, helps eliminate waste, regulates our temperature, and plays a key role in the body’s chemical reactions. Ensuring individuals are drinking enough water depends on various factors, including the climate where they live, their age, and their level of physical activity.

Those on the front lines in the oil, gas, and energy sector need easy access to clean drinking water throughout the day, but carrying around water bottles big enough to deliver the required hydration on the job is neither practical nor good for the environment.

How InReach Makes Water Service Accessible in the Energy Sector

At InReach, we have made access to clean, filtered water within these sectors accessible and convenient. Our modern water delivery service for offices and remote locations combines the latest equipment, filtration systems, and touchless technologies with the capacity to dispense chilled, sparkling, flavored, and hot water instantly from a single machine. There are no unpleasant odors, tastes, colors, or contaminants so that workers—including shift workers—can stay healthy and hydrated at any hour.

Our team at InReach ensures your teams out in the field have what they need to stay refreshed and resilient, wherever the job takes them.

Hydration Challenges for Those in Remote Areas

Frontline workers in the oil, gas, and energy sectors face some of the harshest conditions on the job. Many of them work outdoors or in remote environments where temperatures climb quickly, humidity levels fluctuate, and physical exertion is constant. Whether they’re rig workers on a drilling platform or maintenance technicians in a power plant, dehydration can strike faster than most realize.

Management teams and workers must be aware that even mild dehydration can impair cognitive function, slow reaction times, and decrease focus, all of which are crucial in environments that demand precision and safety.

Industry standards recommend frequent hydration breaks, but the availability of clean drinking water can impede follow-through. The right water service ensures hydration is built into every shift. With reliable access to clean, great-tasting water (whether cold, sparkling, flavored, or hot), teams can stay alert, energized, and safe throughout the day.

Modern Hydration Solutions Blend Technology With Accessibility

Traditional water coolers had a long run in workplace environments, but today’s hydration technology makes the stacked Dixie cups alongside the insulated jug feel like the equivalent of the rotary phone. Our office water services at InReach combine advanced filtration, modern design, and smart connectivity to deliver instant hydration that’s as refreshing as it is reliable.

Now you can dispense with single-use plastic bottles of water and introduce company-branded reusable water bottles. Pair that with the program at InReach, and you have a cutting-edge solution that offers employees a sense of workplace pride along with the hydration they need.

And since water is fast becoming the go-to beverage of choice for wellness-focused employees, these systems align perfectly with company-wide health initiatives. More people are swapping sodas and sugary drinks for sparkling or still water, and InReach makes that transition seamless.

Keeping Frontline Teams Safe and Resilient

Hydration is often the first thing to go when schedules are tight or conditions get rough.

By introducing a consistent, well-designed office water service program across your worksites, you’re investing in more than just hydration; you’re investing in your people. When workers feel taken care of, they perform better and are more likely to stay engaged and productive throughout their shifts.

Adequate hydration also means steadier energy levels and even better mood regulation. It’s one of the easiest ways to support mental and physical performance in challenging conditions.

Helping You Prioritize Sustainability and the Environment

Sustainability is a fundamental value at many companies today. For those in the energy sector, leading by example in environmental stewardship can make a real difference. Our water delivery services are designed to maximize sustainability and minimize environmental impact.

By replacing single-use bottled water with on-site filtration systems, companies can dramatically reduce plastic waste and lower their carbon footprint. Every refillable bottle drawn from a dispenser represents one less plastic bottle in our landfills. No more purchasing pallets of water bottles! You’ll always have it on tap.

Our commitment to sustainability can also be seen in our smart dispensers, which monitor water usage and provide analytics to help track personal hydration goals. A consolidated billing and reporting system keeps everything in one place, making budgets and expenses easier to organize.

Tips for Best Practices in On-Site Water Service

Long hours, high temperatures, and heavy equipment can quickly deplete the body’s reserves, compromising concentration, productivity, and safety. Below are several best practices to ensure your hydration plan meets the needs of every team member.

 

1. Multiple Access Points

Hydration stations should be central to every operational plan. Spread them across high-traffic and high-heat areas so that workers won’t need to walk far for a drink of water or to refill their personal water bottle. When water is readily available, people naturally hydrate more often, reducing the risk of fatigue and heat stress.

 

2. Employee Education

Hydration awareness is just as important as availability. Encourage employees to take hydration breaks and educate them on the early signs of dehydration. Something as simple as a company-wide campaign can make a meaningful impact.

 

3. Complementary Treats and Snacks

Water alone is great, but pairing hydration with nutrition can further elevate performance. Integrate InReach’s office pantry solutions to give workers access to energy bars, fruit, or snacks. It’s a holistic approach to fueling the workforce and promoting overall well-being.

A Meaningful, Customized Water Service Program

At InReach, we specialize in customizing water programs that keep up with the pace and pressure of the energy industry. Our water delivery programs are designed for scalability, flexibility, and ease of use, whether you’re operating a 24/7 refinery, managing a pipeline project, or running an offshore drilling site.

Each system is designed for flexibility and scale. Whether it’s a headquarters, satellite office, or a remote drilling site, InReach provides units that fit your space, capacity, and crew size. From compact dispensers to heavy-duty, portable “plug-and-play” systems, your teams always have a dependable source of crisp, clean water.

Additional features include:

• Hands-free and touchless dispensing for improved hygiene.
• Smart leak prevention systems that conserve water.
• Integrated analytics for usage tracking and maintenance alerts.
• Compatibility with combined coffee and water systems.

InReach also provides personalized support and maintenance plans, so your hydration systems always perform at their best. From initial setup to ongoing service, our team handles every detail so you can focus on what you do best.

When you partner with InReach, you’re assured a water service backed by a team that works closely with you to understand the demands of your industry and design solutions that meet your goals.

Modern Water Services – A Must for Oil, Gas, and Energy Teams

Hydration is a simple yet powerful way to enhance workforce performance, safety, and well-being. For those on the front lines of oil, gas, and energy, it’s about modern and accessible water stations that keep hardworking teams hydrated, energized, and able to focus and perform.

InReach brings innovation, sustainability, and care to every water service solution. Our touchless dispensers with integrated technologies give operations managers and their teams one less thing to worry about.  

Whether you’re upgrading your workplace water service, deploying hydration systems to remote worksites, or introducing new wellness initiatives backed by convenience, sustainability, and employee-centric decision-making, we’ll help you design a custom plan that fits your operational needs perfectly.

When it comes to keeping teams refreshed, resilient, and ready for a demanding eight-hour day, InReach puts clean, refreshing water in reach.

Art G., an InReach engineering client, says, “Everyone says that what sets their company apart from others is their staff and business philosophy, but few deliver on the promise. I can tell you that InReach does.”

Proudly part of Sodexo, InReach offers global reach, customized attention, and a large, growing buying network that keeps your costs low and quality high. Contact us today to learn more.