Drinking Fountains & Bottle Fillers

Commercial Drinking Fountains: What You Need to Know

Whether your business operates out of a small office building or a large-scale location with thousands of daily visitors, commercial drinking fountains and bottle fillers are a great way to provide guests and employees with easy access to clean water. Encouraging those in your facility to drink more water can improve their health and productivity – and investing in a drinking fountain can reduce or eliminate the use of bottled water in your building. Not only does this make your company or institution more sustainable by lessening your collective impact on the environment, but you can provide refreshing water to guests without the hassle of reordering bottled water to keep in the office.

Common Questions About Drinking Fountains

Are drinking fountains sanitary?

As with any equipment used in high-traffic areas of your business, your water station should be cleaned frequently to remove bacteria and visible grime. Routine cleanings will ensure your drinking fountain looks sanitary and eliminate potential contaminants from common touchpoints. Some models come with additional hygienic features, such as touchless operation and antimicrobial protection on plastic components, to help prevent the growth of bacteria between cleanings.

What is a bottle filler?

Bottle fillers are hands-free water bottle refilling dispensers, available with only the dispenser or paired with a traditional drinking fountain. These are tall enough to accommodate most reusable water bottles and are sensor activated to eliminate unnecessary touchpoints. Many also include an NSF-certified filter to distribute clean, pure water that tastes better than tap water.

Employees and guests can also track their eco-friendly contributions if the unit you purchase includes a digital display that shows how many plastic bottles of water your water cooler fountain has helped eliminate.

Do these machines provide cold water?

Yes, many units are equipped with a refrigeration system to dispense chilled water. If your business is located in a warm climate or if those using the water cooler fountain don't have access to an ice machine, providing water that has already been cooled can positively impact the end user's satisfaction.

Can drinking fountains be installed outdoors?

Yes, our selection of commercial drinking fountains and bottle fillers includes those made specifically for outdoor use. However, models certified for indoor use only shouldn't be installed outside.

How much does a drinking fountain cost?

The cost of a drinking fountain depends on which specific model you purchase, as they range from individual bubblers and filling stations to units with two bubblers on multiple levels to accommodate users of all heights. Price of the unit can also be affected by whether it is installed on the wall or recessed into the wall and by the additional features it has, such as filters, refrigeration, or hands-free activation sensors.