Whether in workplaces or households, using bottled water dispensers might be costing you more than you realize. Bottled water delivery has been a sufficient way to promote hydration over the years, but there’s more to this routine than meets the eye. This can be costly for multiple reasons, which means it might be time to consider a better alternative.
Read on to learn more about the true and hidden costs of bottled water dispensers and why you might consider switching to an alternate drinking water option.
Bottled Water Delivery
Before advanced solutions for procuring drinking water were available, traditional bottled water delivery reigned supreme. For those who continue to rely on this system, it typically involves a 3- or 5-gallon water jug being brought directly to your workplace or household by a delivery truck on a monthly or as-needed basis. Keep in mind that the frequency of delivery changes depending on your needs — such as the nature and size of your business.
Traditional recurring delivery was thought to be the most cost-effective and adequate way to provide high-quality water. However, over the years it’s become clear that this isn’t exactly the case. Before employing a bottled water delivery service to obtain drinking water, you might consider the true cost — and the trouble — that accompanies this option.
Considering the Costs of Bottled Water Delivery
Bottled water dispensers don’t seem significantly costly at first glance, but the culmination of both real expenses and environmental impacts makes this option considerably less appealing. So, what exactly are the costs associated with a bottled water cooler?
Monthly expenses
The main cost you’re likely to think of when considering different water options is your monthly spending. The typical price per 5-gallon water jug is approximately $7. This cost may not seem steep initially, but with consistent delivery throughout the year, these expenses quickly add up.
In fact, a Quench study found that a bottled water delivery service that serves 50 people costs over $4,200 a year on average, and a 5-gallon water delivery service that serves the same amount of people costs over $3,400 annually. Consider how many workers and customers are at your workplace, and it’s relatively easy to see how this system can run up your finances quickly and significantly.
Moreover, according to the Water Purification Guide, nearly 64% of bottled water in the U.S. comes from municipal tap water sources. This means you might be paying for water that could be otherwise free if you were to get it from your tap. While bottled water companies collect and treat the water before bottling, they don’t have to meet the same strenuous standards of water quality as water treatment facilities set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Unfortunately, this means the clean water you’ve come to know, might not be as clean as you once thought.
Environmental costs
The most important hidden cost of bottled water delivery is its detrimental environmental impact. The use of large plastic bottles leads to environmental ramifications including:
- Plastic waste: Both small and large plastic bottles are hugely wasteful, considering humans use 1.3 billion plastic bottles every day, and they take an extremely long time to decompose, per an article from Reuters.
- CO2 emissions: The culmination of plastic production and delivery truck needs also leads to incredibly high CO2 emissions. Essentially, plastic results in greenhouse gas emissions at every stage of its life cycle, and customers who depend on regular delivery are responsible for the higher carbon emissions from these trucks.
- Large oil use: Those who depend on delivery may also be unaware of the large amount of oil needed to meet the demand of U.S. water bottle manufacturing.
- Water waste: Another environmental impact to consider includes the water it wastes throughout the production process. According to the Water Project, it’s estimated that three liters of water are used to package one liter of bottled water.
The Future of Water Delivery
With all of these costs in mind, it might be beneficial to consider an alternative. If you’ve been looking for a more cost-effective and efficient way to access drinking water, you might be wondering what the future of water dispensers looks like. Today, many opt for bottleless water coolers from reliable vendors, like Quench, Instead.
What is a bottleless water cooler?
A bottleless water cooler is essentially a modern water dispensing system that connects directly to your building’s existing water line — whether that be your home or workplace. This eliminates the need for bottled water delivery altogether, using advanced filtration technology to provide an endless supply of clean, purified water on demand. With Quench, you get installation systems equipped with reverse osmosis water filters that add back essential minerals and electrolytes to your drinking water. This ensures that it’s not only free of impurities but also hydrating and enriched with the minerals you need to feel your best.
These coolers ultimately offer a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bottled water dispensers by reducing plastic waste and the financial burden of regular deliveries. With a bottleless system, you get continuous access to high-quality drinking water without the hassle of changing and storing bulky water bottles.
Key Benefits of Making the Switch to a Bottleless Dispenser
Here’s a closer look at the advantages you’ll enjoy by switching from hefty water deliveries to a bottleless water dispenser:
- Save money in the long run: Did you know that you can reduce your beverage expenses by up to 80% by eliminating the need for bottled water deliveries? Plus, over time, these savings can considerably improve your budget, freeing up funds for other needs.
- Reduce your environmental Impact: In one fell swoop, you can decrease plastic waste and carbon emissions associated with the production and transportation of bottled water. Choosing a bottleless dispenser contributes to a more sustainable planet while reducing the environmental footprint of your water consumption.
- Ensure a continuous supply of drinking water: Enjoy an endless supply of clean, filtered water — without worrying about running out or scheduling deliveries. You can rest assured you’ll always have fresh water available, giving you peace of mind.
- Enjoy advanced filtration technology: Benefit from advanced filtration systems that remove impurities from your drinking water. This provides healthier, better-tasting water that supports your overall well-being.
- Benefit from greater convenience: Eliminate the hassle of handling and storing bulky water bottles, making water access easier and more efficient. That way, you can streamline your daily routines and avoid the physical strain associated with lifting and storing heavy bottles.
- Save valuable space: Free up space in your home or workplace by removing the need to store large water jugs. This creates a more organized and clutter-free environment, making better use of your available space.
- Improve your water quality: Ensure your water meets high-quality standards, so you can hydrate confidently knowing your water is both clean and safe.
What does the installation and maintenance of a bottleless dispenser involve?
Fortunately, when you transition away from bottled water deliveries, installing and maintaining a bottleless dispenser becomes seamless — especially when you rent from trusted providers like Quench. Here’s what you can expect from Quench technicians in terms of installation and maintenance:
With over three decades of experience in the industry, our technicians begin by meticulously assessing the best location for your machine. Then, they simply connect the dispenser to your existing water line, installing drains, pumps, or valves as needed to support the filtration system.
Moreover, the services included in your monthly rental fee extend to our preventive maintenance program, ensuring the long-term reliability and performance of your dispenser. This means our highly-trained technicians will conduct routine inspections and filter changes to keep your water quality at its best year-round.
Alleviate the Costs of Bottled Water With Help From Quench
If you’re ready to leave traditional bottled water delivery and its associated costs in the past for a better system, Quench can help. With Quench, you can explore a wide array of bottleless water coolers that can provide you with the highest-quality water around — without the hassle or costs of plastic jugs.
But don’t just take our word for it, Deb W. of Philadelphia said she’s saving “over $1,200 a year” after switching from prior water service to Quench. Special Projects Manager Nick Williams also reports that at his company “between the Quench bottleless water system, [they’re] saving upwards of $1,000 a month.” You can see exactly how much your company can save on your drinking water bill by checking out our total cost of ownership calculator.
If you’re ready for a more efficient and cost-effective system to access high-quality drinking water in your home or workplace, try our product finder and get matched with the machine that’s right for your needs. Or, get a free estimate to get started.
