Top of page.

The 10 benefits of switching from bottled watercoolers to point of use

Point-of-Use (POU) water dispensers provide an economical, hygienic, and environmental alternative to traditional bottle-fed watercoolers. In this post, we explore the 10 benefits of switching to POU.

  1. A bottle-fed watercooler requires bottles to be changed once empty. A POU water dispenser provides an unlimited supply of fresh filtered water eliminating transportation and storage logistics.
  2. Bottled water varies greatly and requires different treatments, some of which leave a chemical residue affecting purity and flavour. A bottle-less water dispenser passes treated water from the mains supply through filters that remove impurities affecting taste.
  3. Quality control of bottled water production varies greatly, with some lines not adequately safeguarding against contamination. A POU water dispenser provides consistent fresh tasting, and safe drinking water.
  4. Water bottles are transported vast distances, greatly increasing both their carbon footprint and the risk of cross-contamination. Bottle-less water dispensers require minimal maintenance at 3 or 6 monthly intervals.
  5. Bottled water must be kept within specific temperatures and shaded from sunlight – consistently delivering on these requirements can be difficult. With a POU water dispenser, there is no need to store bottled water.
  6. Bottles that aren’t stored correctly can absorb external odours and even allow algae to form within them. Filtration plus other safeguards built into a POU water dispenser, including devices such as UV purification, protect users against potentially harmful bacteria.
  7. Water bottles are often stored for long periods, undermining the recommended 3-9 months. Water is drawn from mains water when needed, meaning no water is stored within a POU water dispenser.
  8. The risk of bacteria being present on cooler controls is compounded by the exposed tap typically found on bottle top models. POU water dispensers typically have digital touch panels. Some have Bluetooth® connectivity or footswitches for touch-free dispensing. Furthermore, because they connect to the mains water, there’s no need to change water bottles, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination.
  9. Water bottles weigh an average of 15kg to 19kg. They are heavy to lift and install, risking injury and spillages. Once a water dispenser has been plumbed in, no more heavy lifting is involved until you wish to move the unit to a different location.
  10. Natural Resources Defence Council estimates replacing one watercooler bottle per week costs around US$440.00 per year, 90% of which goes on bottling, packaging, shipping, marketing, and retailing, with only 10% being the cost of the water itself. Find out if you could save money by switching to a POU water dispenser: bottled vs point of use comparison calculator

Discover the full range of Borg & Overström point-of-use water dispensers and tap systems.


Our drinking water dispensers are available through selected partners