Coffee is mostly water. Its quality affects the taste of the drink and how often the machine needs descaling.
Water has a big effect on coffee taste and on how the machine runs. Hard water leaves scale and can dull the flavor, while very soft water can make coffee flat and sour. In an office, the simplest step is to test hardness with a strip and use the filter the machine maker recommends.
Water hardness
Hardness depends on mineral content. The local water utility usually publishes hardness for your area. Test strips for coffee machines let you check it in seconds.
Filters
Many machines take a filter cartridge in the tank. Replace it as the manual says. On plumbed-in units, the filter is often fitted on the water line – common with coffee vending machines (publisher's site) maintained by a supplier.
Daily habits
Change the water in the tank daily instead of topping up old water. Rinse the tank at each refill.
FAQ
Can we use bottled water? Yes, but not every bottled water suits a coffee machine. Check the machine maker's guidance.
How often should we change the filter? As the machine's manual says or when the machine prompts you.