Which to Choose: Bottled Dispenser or Tankless RO Systems?

What Are Bottled Water Dispensers?

Bottled water dispensers, also known as water coolers, utilize a 5-gallon water bottle placed upside down. Water is dispensed via gravity when the spigot is pressed. These systems lack filters and rely on pre-filtered bottled water. Maintenance is essential to ensure the bottles have enough water for operation. Without bottles, the dispenser won't provide water.

Is the Bottled Water Dispenser the Right Choice for You?

Bottled water dispensers offer convenient access to clean water in homes, offices, and public spaces, making hydration quick and easy. They don't need a plumbing connection, allowing flexible placement, and can dispense both cold and hot water (depending on the model). However, it's crucial to recognize that while they offer convenience, there are drawbacks to consider.

Have you ever noticed the significant space occupied by bottled water dispensers or faced the challenge of maneuvering heavy water jugs for replacement, risking spills and potential injuries? Changing those large water bottles can be especially inconvenient for older adults and children, given the weight and size of the 5-gallon jugs. This struggle in handling and replacing the bottles further highlights the practical downsides of relying on bottled water dispensers.

Yet, these are just the beginning. There's more to consider, including potential environmental impact, water expenses, and health implications. It's worth delving deeper before making a decision.

Environmental Impact

Plastic bottles are usually buried or flushed into the ocean

Globally, 300 million tons of plastic are produced on an annual basis. Approximately 18% of the new plastic being produced gets recycled or reused. The rest is buried or flushed into the ocean, which means practically every piece of plastic that has ever been made still exists in some shape or form.

Plastic bottles leave a huge carbon footprint

In the United States, about 76 million barrels of oil are needed to manufacture, transport, store, and dispose of the plastic bottles used in a single year. That’s enough oil to fuel 4.3 million cars, and environmental experts estimate that it takes 1 gallon of oil to produce 10 gallons of bottled water. Eliminating bottled water reduces your company’s carbon footprint by 20 pounds for every 10 gallons of bottled water that you do not consume.

The Hidden Costs of Bottled Water

Water Expenses

Relying on bottled water dispensers can be pricey. With 5-gallon jugs at about $10 each and a daily intake of around 0.5 gallons, you might spend around $365 per person annually. A family of four could surpass $1,460.

Harmful BPA Content

Bottled water dispenser bottles often contain BPA, a chemical that can leach into water, especially when exposed to heat. BPA is linked to health issues like reproductive problems, obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. Some bottles labeled "BPA-free" still pose similar risks due to other chemicals.

Potential Bacterial Growth Risk in Bottled Water

Bacterial Growth Risks

Bottled water dispensers may present an unsuspected challenge: the potential for cultivating and propagating bacterial growth. A comprehensive study undertaken by researchers from Northeastern University in Boston has unveiled critical insights into this matter. Over a span of two months, regular testing of water from 10 bottled water dispensers consistently unveiled bacterial counts ranging from 2,000 to 1 million organisms per milliliter.

Easy Bacterial Growth in Large Water Bottles

This elevated bacterial presence surpasses the EPA's tap water limit of 500 organisms per milliliter, a standard also upheld by the FDA for bottled water. The design of bottled water dispensers, which store water in containers instead of directly connecting to a water supply, inadvertently accumulates contaminants. As air replaces dispensed water, it creates an environment for harmful microorganisms to thrive. Replacing bottles can introduce more contaminants, with 5-gallon bottles sometimes remaining in use for an entire week, providing ample time for bacteria to multiply.

Health Risks Posed by Harmful Bacteria

These microorganisms, when ingested, can cause gastrointestinal distress, manifesting as symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. More alarmingly, pathogenic bacteria can lead to severe illnesses, particularly for individuals with compromised immune systems.

What Are Bottled Water Dispensers?

Is the Bottled Water Dispenser the Right Choice for You?

Yet, these are just the beginning. There's more to consider, including potential environmental impact, water expenses, and health implications. It's worth delving deeper before making a decision.

Environmental Impact

Plastic bottles are usually buried or flushed into the ocean

Plastic bottles leave a huge carbon footprint

The Hidden Costs of Bottled Water

Water Expenses

Harmful BPA Content

Potential Bacterial Growth Risk in Bottled Water

Bacterial Growth Risks

Easy Bacterial Growth in Large Water Bottles

Health Risks Posed by Harmful Bacteria

Why is the Tankless RO System a Better Choice for You?

More cost-effective

Pure Water

BPA-Free

Instant Filtration

Eco-Friendly

Economical choice

It can be used for up to ten years after purchase. Take the popular Waterdrop G3P800 as an example, you only need to pay 255 dollars per year on average, which includes the purchase price and filter replacement costs over the course of ten years.

Take the popular Waterdrop G3P800 as an example

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Provides pure water, Instant Filtration, offers a safer option.