What’s Included in a Typical 5-Gallon Water Jug Delivery Service?
When I consult with businesses on how to make their offices more sustainable, one of the simplest yet most effective changes I recommend is switching to a 5-gallon water jug delivery service. It’s a reliable way to reduce waste, keep employees hydrated, and simplify breakroom logistics.
But if you’ve never signed up for this kind of service before, or you’re reconsidering your current provider, you may be wondering what exactly is included. After 18 years helping businesses across Seattle modernize their workplace systems, I can tell you: a great water delivery service should offer more than just bottles at your doorstep. It should provide consistency, convenience, and accountability from start to finish.
Reliable Delivery of Clean, Quality Drinking Water
At the core of any water jug service is the consistent delivery of fresh drinking water. These large-capacity jugs—typically 5 gallons each—are filled with purified, spring, or reverse osmosis (RO) water and delivered on a recurring schedule. You can usually choose from weekly, biweekly, or monthly deliveries depending on your team size and consumption habits.
The water itself should meet or exceed health and safety standards, and the bottles are usually made from BPA-free, refillable plastic. Every bottle arrives sealed and sanitized, and most providers offer a simple swap-and-refill system, where they pick up your empties and replace them with full jugs. This keeps the process streamlined and sustainable, especially for businesses that want to avoid single-use plastic waste.
Equipment That Fits Your Space and Needs
Water delivery isn’t just about the bottles—it’s also about how your team accesses them. Most providers include the option to rent or buy a dispenser, with options ranging from top-load and bottom-load coolers to touchless and bottleless systems. You can also select features like hot-and-cold dispensing, built-in filtration, or sleek countertop models for smaller offices.
The right dispenser makes a difference not just in comfort, but in energy use and sanitation. Some of the newer models include motion-sensing or foot-pedal features to minimize contact, which is something I strongly recommend in shared office environments. Choosing the right equipment helps reduce water waste and encourages employees to drink more throughout the day.
If your workplace values hygiene or operates in a shared-use environment, touchless dispensers are increasingly popular. These allow users to fill their bottles or cups with a wave of the hand or a foot pedal, limiting contact and improving sanitation. For more high-traffic offices or teams with specific water preferences, you can even opt for bottleless dispensers that connect directly to your building’s plumbing and filter the water on demand.
Common options include:
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Top-load coolers – budget-friendly and easy to service
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Bottom-load coolers – sleek design with easier bottle handling
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Touchless dispensers – ideal for health-conscious or shared environments
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Bottleless filtration units – great for reducing bottle clutter and minimizing waste
Every setup has its strengths. The key is matching the right dispenser to your team’s habits and the amount of space you have available. A good provider will help you make that decision and install the equipment so you’re ready to go on day one.
Hassle-Free Pickup and Bottle Recycling
One of the overlooked benefits of a good delivery service is how they handle the back end of the process. When you’re finished with your bottles, the provider should handle the pickup without needing a reminder. This is more than just convenience—it’s part of a broader closed-loop reuse system that keeps plastic out of landfills.
Bottles that are returned are cleaned, sanitized, and reused multiple times. If a bottle no longer meets safety standards, it’s recycled responsibly. This kind of system supports broader corporate sustainability goals and helps reinforce a culture of responsibility in your workplace.
Ongoing Maintenance and Customer Support
Your water service provider should also be your equipment partner. Many companies offer regular maintenance for the dispensers they rent or sell. That includes cleaning services, part replacement, and prompt support if something goes wrong—like a leaking spigot or a faulty cooling unit.
In my experience, the best vendors have a proactive approach to service. They’ll let you know when it’s time for a filter replacement, schedule regular equipment checks, and respond quickly to any issues that come up. If your team relies on clean water throughout the day, this kind of responsiveness is essential.
Options to Customize Your Hydration Setup
While the core of the service revolves around the jugs, many companies offer add-ons that make your hydration setup more convenient. Depending on your provider, you may be able to add cup dispensers, compostable cups, small-bottle deliveries for meetings, or even flavored and sparkling water options.
Some providers also offer carbon offset programs or giveback initiatives where part of your purchase supports clean water projects. If sustainability is a priority for your company, this is a great opportunity to align your operations with your values.
Simple Pricing That Matches Your Office Needs
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that office water delivery is expensive. In reality, it’s one of the most affordable wellness investments you can make. Most companies charge by the bottle, and the cost per jug typically falls between six and ten dollars. Dispenser rentals are often bundled into your monthly plan and range from just a few dollars for basic models to slightly more for upgraded units.
The key is finding a provider who’s transparent. You should know exactly what you’re paying for—no hidden delivery fees, no surprise surcharges, and no pressure to commit to more than you need.
Why It Matters for Your Workplace
Having a 5-gallon water delivery service isn’t just about avoiding a run to the store or eliminating plastic bottle waste. It signals something bigger: that your company values wellness, consistency, and sustainability. Clean water should never be an afterthought—and when you make it a priority, it shows your team that you care about the details that affect their everyday experience.
It also reduces distractions. No more last-minute supply runs. No more stockpiling plastic bottles. Just reliable hydration and a professional setup that supports your workflow.
Final Thoughts
A high-quality 5-gallon water delivery service should make your workday easier, not more complicated. It should provide clean, safe drinking water on schedule, come with the right equipment, and support your sustainability goals through responsible reuse and recycling.
If you’re in the market for a water delivery plan, take a close look at what each provider offers beyond the bottles. The best ones will act as a true partner—reliable, responsive, and aligned with your office’s values and priorities.
Written by Jordan Matthews, a University of California, Berkeley graduate with a degree in Environmental Science. I’ve spent the past 18 years helping businesses across Seattle design sustainable, high-performance workplaces. As a writer for Office Water Services, I specialize in helping companies reduce waste, improve wellness, and build more efficient office ecosystems.
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