How much does it cost to have bottled water delivered?

Reviewed by Cristina Miguelez remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

If your water quality is poor or tastes bad, you can have bottled water delivered directly to your home. Available in several sizes from single servings to 5-gallon jugs, bottled water offers you more options for taste and quality than what may come out of your tap. There are several types of bottled water to consider, which impacts your delivery cost. The amount, frequency, and how the water is dispensed also affects prices.

The national average cost is $30 to $60 per month for bottled water delivery. Most homeowners spend $45 per month for three 5-gallon bottles of spring water delivered with a simple dispenser rental. At the low end of the price range, a small delivery of two 3-gallon jugs of purified water without a dispenser rental costs just $10 per month. At the high end, some people spend as much as $115 per month on five 5-gallon jugs of high-end spring water with an advanced dispenser rental.

Bottled Water Delivery Price

Water Delivery Cost per Gallon

For water delivery, expect to pay around $1.20 to $5 per gallon. You pay a lower price for larger deliveries, but the type also influences the cost. One of the main factors affecting your delivery cost is how much water you have delivered. Typically, delivery services offer 3-gallon and 5-gallon bottles. Subscribers to these services choose the bottle size and how many bottles they want per delivery, which will impact the total monthly cost.

Cost of Home Water Delivery by Type of Water

You can expect to spend about $5 to $15 to have 3-gallon bottles delivered or $6 to $20 each for five-gallon bottles. One of the benefits of having water delivered is that you choose which kind you want. Several options are available. Beyond that, it is largely a matter of preference and taste. Large families may need five or more 5-gallon jugs delivered per month, while a single person likely needs less. Most companies sell water in both 3-gallon and 5-gallon quantities. Most dispensers are designed to hold either.

Distilled Water Delivery

Bottles of distilled water cost between $5 and $15. It is the most affordable option. It is made by boiling water into a vapor to remove impurities and contaminants and condensing it back into a separate container. The impurities remain in the first container, while the purified, distilled water enters the second. Several minerals can also be removed in this process, so distilled water does not have the same mineral content as mineral or spring water.

Mineral Water

Bottles of mineral water range from $5 to $20 each, depending on the size and brand. It is sourced from a spring or well, and it contains constant amounts of minerals from the source, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. The official regulations for mineral water state that it must contain at least 250 parts per million (ppm) of trace minerals. These minerals give mineral water brands unique tastes and health advantages.

Spring Water

Bottled spring water costs between $5 and $20 delivered. Like mineral water, this type is sourced from a natural spring. It is bottled directly at the source, but there are no minimum mineral requirements for spring water, so the exact mineral content of spring water varies. Many consumers enjoy the pure and natural qualities of spring water.

Artesian Water

Bottles of artesian water can be delivered to your door for $5 to $20 each. It is sourced from wells that tap into natural underground aquifers where the water level is above the aquifer’s top. While regular wells use a pump to draw the water up, artesian well water flows naturally up to the surface. This type is naturally filtered and, like spring water, contains different amounts of minerals and has different tastes.

Cost of Water Dispenser by Type

On average, dispensers cost $3 to $39 to rent per month and $9 to $400 to buy, with prices changing based on advanced features such as hot water, child locks, and coffee makers. If you opt for a 3-gallon or 5-gallon jug of water, you need a way to dispense it. You can purchase your own dispenser or use one from the company. Some companies provide the dispenser free of charge once you establish a regular schedule. Others charge a monthly fee. Dispensers primarily keep the water cold, but others come with many additions and enhancements like instant hot water, bottom-loading designs, child locks, and even built-in coffee makers.

Electric Water Dispenser

An electric water dispenser is not available for rental, but you can purchase it for between $9 and $16. This small device fits on top of your 3- to 5-gallon water bottle and pumps the water out. It is like a bottom-loading water dispenser, only it is much smaller and takes up less space. This small electric pump allows the bottle to be portable, which is ideal if you will be away from home camping or traveling and don’t want to purchase individual bottles or if you would like to save space in your home.

Water Cooler Rental

Renting a cold water-only dispenser costs between $3 and $9 per month. The cost to buy it ranges between $25 and $100. These dispensers are great for the home or office. They keep you hydrated while dispensing only the amount of water you need, reducing the unnecessary use of the tap. These dispensers come in top and bottom load styles.

Hot and Cold Water Dispenser

Expect to pay between $10 and $15 for renting a hot and cold water dispenser and between $50 and $250 to purchase one. Hot and cold dispensers are available as top load, bottom load, and bottleless dispensers. Such systems are great for keeping hydrated and preparing your favorite hot drinks such as tea and cocoa and even some foods such as soup or other instant meals. Some models only allow one heating temperature, while others allow you to adjust the heat up or down.

Childproof Water Dispenser

If you are interested in getting a childproof dispenser, you can expect to pay between $10 to $15 for a rental and $150 to $400 to purchase. Childproof dispensers prevent children from being harmed by slipping on spilled water and minimizes burns caused by hot water coming from the spout. Some dispensers are built with buttons out of reach for small children. Others provide dispenser guards to prevent small children from using them.

Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser

If you want this type of water dispenser, rentals usually start between $10 and $18 a month. You can purchase one for $150 to $400. Some companies offer this choice of water dispenser because it is much easier to load. You won’t have to lift and flip heavy gallons of water. Instead, you can slide the jug into the bottom. Also, since the jug is stored at the bottom in a cabinet, the dispenser design looks cleaner and less bulky.

Water Dispenser and Coffee Maker

If you want to enjoy refreshing water along with the option of brewing coffee, renting such a machine will cost between $29 and $39, while the cost to purchase is between $150 and $400. With this machine, you can get a cup of cold or hot water or make a cup of coffee from a K-cup pod. It typically has a bottom loading feature to minimize lifting. In addition, the streamlined design allows you to enjoy many beverages in one, including tea.

Water Delivery Cost by Brand

The cost of water delivery by brand can range from $5 to $15 for a 3-gallon bottle and $7 to $20 for a 5-gallon bottle. There are many brands. These different brands offer different drinking experiences: some specialize in flavorful mineral water, others offer simple spring water, and some offer a full range of water types. Costs also vary from brand to brand, and some are much cheaper than others. The table below shows some popular brands and average prices for their bottled water deliveries.

Sparkletts Water Delivery

Sparkletts bottled water delivery costs $5 to $10 per bottle. Sparkletts offers purified and spring water to customers in the Southwest U.S. with various bottle sizes available. This brand is known for its mineral content, containing magnesium sulfate, potassium bicarbonate, and potassium chloride. Sparkletts delivers purified, spring, fluoridated, distilled, and artesian water.

Culligan Water Delivery

Culligan bottled water ranges from $5 to $10 delivered per bottle, depending on the bottle size. This company is based in Rosemont, Illinois and sells its water around the globe. Culligan water is filtered through reverse osmosis to remove organic compounds, chemicals, and minerals. They deliver bottled water dispensers and bottle-free water dispensers. They are also known for their great customer service.

Poland Spring Water Delivery

To have Poland Spring bottled water delivery, you will spend between $5 and $10 per bottle. This is one of the most popular brands in America, based in Poland, Maine and a part of Nestlé. This brand specializes in 100% natural spring water sourced from springs around the state of Maine. They provide customers with the option of top- and bottom-loading dispensers. They also provide bottle-free hydration stations.

Alhambra Water Delivery

Alhambra bottled water usually costs between $6 and $10 per bottle. This company is known for its variety, offering a wide range of water types, including purified, spring, artesian, and distilled. Based in Northern California, Alhambra provides services throughout the United States. They provide home and office delivery of bottled and bottle-free water dispensers.

Primo Water Delivery

Primo bottled water prices range from $6 to $10 delivered to your home, depending on the bottle size. They specialize in purified water filtered through reverse osmosis and enriched with minerals for more taste and health benefits. Primo prides itself on high-level water quality with little to no levels of lead, cyanide, mercury, arsenic, ethylbenzene, or fluoride. They offer traditional bottled water dispensers and bottom-loading dispensers.

Costco Water Delivery

Costco water delivery costs between $6 and $12 per bottle. Costco does not produce its own water. Instead, it works with partner water delivery services around the U.S. to offer a range of deliveries, including different brands like Poland Spring and Kirkland. The prices vary, with Costco members getting exclusive discounts.

Ozarka Water Delivery

Ozarka water delivery typically costs from $7 to $10 per bottle, depending on the size of the bottle and your location. They also sell standard bottled water products and flavored bottled water, available at some major retailers. Home delivery by Ozarka delivers premium spring water from the southwestern United States. The water goes through a 10-step filtration process to ensure that the taste and quality are among the best. Nestle also owns this brand.

Absopure Water Delivery

Absopure bottled water ranges in price from $7 to $12 and is available in 3-gallon and 5-gallon bottles. This Midwest-based company has been around since 1908 and offers many water types, including distilled, purified, spring, and electrolyte. They deliver water coolers and dispensers to homes in the Midwest. They have been in business for over 100 years and offer customers natural spring, purified, steam distilled, and Absopure plus electrolyte water.

Menehune Water Delivery

Menehune bottled water costs between $7 and $12 per bottle. This company is based in Hawaii and was founded in 1985. They use pure Hawaiian water naturally filtered through the lava rock ground before being distilled and purified. Menehune provides bottled water coolers to homes and businesses in Hawaii. They offer traditional bottled water dispensers, hot and cold dispensers, and hand pump dispensers.

Arrowhead Water Delivery

Arrowhead Water ranges from $7 to $12 per bottle. This brand is based in California and primarily sourced from the San Bernardino Mountains, along with other natural springs in locations like Colorado and Canada. Arrowhead spring water is known for its crisp taste and varied mineral content. They provide bottled water dispensers, both top and bottom load, to customers using ReadyFresh delivery service.

Crystal Springs Water Delivery

If you elect to have Crystal Springs water delivery, you will spend between $8 and $20 per bottle, depending on the size and type. You can get multiple types of water from Crystal Springs, including purified, distilled, fluoridated, and spring water. They offer single-serving bottles along with 0.5 liter, 1-gallon, 3-gallon, and 5-gallon bottles. They have additives for coffee and other beverages, along with the premium AquaCafe, a water dispenser and K-Cup brewing station in one.

Zephyrhills Water Delivery

Zephyrhills water delivery ranges from $10 to $20 per bottle, depending on the size and frequency of delivery, among other factors. Zephyrhills is a direct delivery service available to be delivered to the home. It is also a brand available through third-party water delivery services, although you might pay a premium to use their services. Zephyrhills delivery is known for its convenience and quality.

Mountain Valley Spring Water Delivery

Mountain Valley bottled water costs between $10 and $20 per bottle on average. This is one of the more high-end spring water brands in the U.S., based in Hot Springs, Arkansas and founded in 1871. Mountain Spring Valley is distributed all over the U.S. in glass bottles and has won awards for its taste and health benefits. They deliver 2.5- and 5-gallon glass bottles of spring, sparkling, and sparkling essence water to homes using a distributor network.

Water Delivery Service Cost

Standard cooler rental, monthly costs are approximately $45, assuming an $18 rental fee, $6 delivery fee, and $7 per jug for spring water. A single person with a dispenser who uses three 5-gallon jugs of water may pay $21. Health experts suggest about a half-gallon of water each day, or 15 gallons a month, which means three 5-gallon jugs should be sufficient for a single person. The cost of having water delivered requires paying for more than just the water. The average monthly rate varies significantly as a result.

Some of the factors affecting the cost of water delivery include the type of water (spring, distilled, fluoridated, etc.), the size of the container, how frequently you have deliveries to your home, and the brand that you choose. For example, a small family may need ten 5-gallon jugs delivered each month, while a single person may only need three. It is best to price this service based on your household size and consumption for the most accurate quote. Some delivery services work with multiple brands and allow you to choose, while others are brand-specific delivery systems. Another factor that determines what you spend on water delivery is whether you choose to have a premium dispenser rental or a basic model. Today’s selection offers plenty of unique options, from basic water dispensing to water/coffee stations that do it all.

Renting water bottles often includes a deposit for the rental. Some states have state-level programs that mandate bottle deposits for containers of a certain size made of plastic, glass, or other recyclable materials. Some companies charge a bottle deposit to ensure they get their bottles back (because they can be expensive to replace). If you choose a water delivery or rental service with deposits, they should be clear about that upfront.

Is Water Delivery Worth It?

Like any purchase, bottled water delivery services have pros and cons. Having bottled water delivered to your home is convenient. You can choose the amount of water and the method of serving to best fit your family’s needs. If your tap water is contaminated, undrinkable, or tastes bad, bottled water delivery services provide fresh water for cooking and drinking. This water meets rigorous testing standards. You also have many more options for where your water comes from and how it has been treated.

Bottled water delivery services are more costly than filtering at home. They also use more plastics, particularly the single-serving delivery service. If you use a dispenser that keeps the water cold or hot, you need to pay for the energy it uses. If you opt for a dispenser that only gives you water, it will be room temperature unless you heat or cool it. Delivery services can sometimes be interrupted by things like inclement weather. If you use more water than anticipated, you may need to pay a premium to deliver extra water.

Many homeowners who want to save money or opt for more eco-friendly alternatives may consider having a water purification system installed. A purification system can last for many years and helps purify and clean the water flowing through your home. These systems remove bacteria, sediment, excess minerals, and organic compounds, and unlike bottled water, you do not need to worry about running out.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Bottleless Water Dispenser

Bottleless water dispensers, also known as bottleless water coolers, cost $300 to $600, depending on size and features. If you want purified water in your home but do not want to deal with plastic or jugs, you can purchase bottleless dispensers that filter water with no jugs. These are much more environmentally friendly choices because these dispensers don’t need plastic bottles to operate. You also don’t have to worry about water delivery interruptions, nor do you have to worry about where to store large water jugs. This differs from a water treatment system because it is a freestanding unit, whereas most water treatment solutions are installed in line with the plumbing at a much higher cost.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Delivery fees. Some companies have no delivery fee, some have a flat delivery fee, and others charge by distance. In the latter case, you pay more for delivery the farther you are from the service.
• Easy pick-up/delivery. You do not need to be at home when water is delivered. Leave your empty bottles in an area that is easy for the company to find and pick up.
• Additional services. Some delivery companies also deliver coffee, individual water bottles, and cans of sparkling water.
• Alternatives. If you are concerned about the water quality coming from your faucets, you can also install a water treatment system instead of buying bottled water.
• Estimates. It is best that you get estimates from three different bottled water delivery services and compare each based on your needs, not just price alone.