Q: Where does bottled water come from?

A: Bottled water is frequently filtered tap water or it comes from other sources such as wells or springs. Almost all bottled water is filtered at the bottling plant and sealed into bottles.

Q: Is bottled water safer than tap water?

A: Bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water, as it sits unrefrigerated in bottles for indefinite periods, resulting in bacteria growth over time. Leaching of the chemicals that make up the plastic bottles can also be a problem as 5 gallon jugs or 18 liter bottles are reused over a number of years.

Q: What’s the problem with bottled water?

A: The most obvious problem with bottled water, and the water that is dispensed from bottled coolers, is shelf life that results in bacteria growth over time.

Q: How does bacteria grow in a sealed bottle?

A: After bottled water has been filtered it sits in the bottles unrefrigerated, which allows the growth of bacteria. The sealed bottles have air in them. And whenever you have air, you have bacteria that will grow faster or slower depending on the amount of light, time, and the temperature at which the bottle is stored.

Q: Is there any other source of contamination?

A: Yes, dirt, dust, and airborne germs can easily enter the bottled water coolers through the large opening in the top of the cooler. When the bottles are changed the neck of the bottled is rarely sanitized, nor are the person’s hands changing the bottle, therefore whatever is on the neck or on the bottle changer’s hands is now in your water storage tank. And finally, when was the last time you saw someone clean or sanitize a bottled water cooler?

Q: What’s in our water.

A: Water as found in nature, will always have some substances dissolved in it from the ground or that are airborne and settle in the water. It will always have the potential to have particles suspended in it. It will always have the potential to be a suitable home to disease causing organisms. This is true of “fresh” mountain streams, well water, and even municipally treated water systems. To achieve “pure water”, or anything close to that goal, water must be filtered or treated in some way.

Q: Is there a safer alternative to Bottled Water?

A: Yes they are called Point-of-Use (P.O.U. bottle-less) Water Coolers. They look, and perform, like bottled water coolers, with many advantages over the 18 liter or 5-gallon jugs.

Q: Why should I consider a Bottle-less (P.O.U.) Water Cooler?

A: P.O.U. Coolers are installed with Water Filtration Systems connected to your water supply.

Q: Why should I be concerned about filtering my water before I drink it?

A: Bacteria growth. Bottled water is filtered, and then bottled. After bottling they are not refrigerated. Bottles provide an environment that harbours the growth of bacteria. There are many types of Filtration systems available. Depending on the type used they can range from simple taste and odour filters to ones that take out everything. For most municipal sourced water, a recommended system will take out undesirables such as -Parasites and Cysts (Cryptosporidium , Giardia Lambia) chlorine and organic chemicals (PCBs dioxins, fuels) as well heavy metals (lead, iron, sulfur) and leave in desirables such as trace minerals (nutrients) salts (fluoride) and calcium.

Q: Are there any other benefits derived from using a POU water cooler?

A: Yes P.O.U. (bottle-less) Water Coolers Are Hassle Free. There are no bottles to lift, no deliveries, no storage space needed, no running out of drinking water, no delivery interruptions, and no Security Issues with Bottled water delivery drivers.

This article was provided by ClassWater. For more information, visit www.classwater.com or call toll free 1-888-CLASWTR (252-7987).