handvatten

Handvatten is the water used for washing hands. It is a term used in several languages to refer to the water that comes from taps, basins, or soap dispensers when people clean their hands. As a basic utility, handvatten is part of hygiene infrastructure in homes, workplaces, and public spaces.

In Swedish, handvatten literally means hand water, and cognate terms exist in other Nordic languages. It does not denote a specific product; rather, it describes the water used in handwashing.

Effective handwashing uses running water and soap; the World Health Organization recommends wetting hands, lathering for around 20 seconds, scrubbing all surfaces, rinsing, and drying with a clean towel or air dryer. The quality of handvatten matters because skin contact with contaminants is minimized when water is clean and the faucet is kept clean.

Water sources and safety: In most settings, handvatten should be potable water supplied by municipal systems or treated well water. In healthcare or food-service environments, specific standards apply for water quality and faucet design to reduce cross-contamination, such as hands-free taps and proper placement of sinks.

Environmental considerations: Efficient taps, aerated fixtures, and conservation practices reduce water use in handwashing without compromising hygiene.

See also: Hand hygiene, Water supply.