Drinking water is essential to our health and well-being. The standard recommendation is eight glasses a day, but how much water you need to drink each day is very individualized.
With municipal water quality a concern in some areas and bottled water being expensive and wasteful, water dispensers are becoming a more popular option. There are three main types: mounted water dispensers (water fountains), bottled water dispensers, and point-of-use water dispensers.
Mounted water dispenser
The easiest way to describe a mounted water dispenser is to think about a public water fountain. This type of dispenser can either be mounted to a wall or a freestanding unit. Either way, the unit hooks into the plumbing system for the water source and usually shoots a U-shaped water stream for easy drinking without a cup.
Pros:
- Provides unlimited water without replacing tanks or bottles
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Typically do not cool or heat water
- Water is usually not filtered
- Require cleaning for sanitation and health
Bottle water dispenser
Commonly referred to as a water cooler, bottled water dispensers are popular options in both businesses and homes. A large bottle (typically 5 gallons) is placed on top of the unit. When a user pushes a button or pulls a handle, gravity and vacuum pressure allow the water to funnel from the bottle to the faucet.
Pros:
- Do not require a plumbing connection, so can be placed nearly anywhere
- Can provide both cold and hot water (depending on unit)
- Very easy to use
- Bottled water is usually pre-filtered
Cons:
- Water is limited by the number of bottles you have
- Bottles need to be physically replaced (and can be heavy)
- Dispenser requires routine inspection and maintenance
Point-of-use water dispenser
In many ways, a point-of-use water dispenser looks and functions like a bottler water dispenser – except it connects to a water line to eliminate the need for replaceable bottles. The water is typically filtered by the unit since it draws in tap water.
Pros:
- More convenient for the home or building owner
- Can save money by not having to purchase new bottles
Cons:
- Require access to a permanent water line
- Usually have more parts than bottle dispensers, which can lead to more repairs
- Can be a higher upfront cost
Call a plumber in the New Orleans and Metairie areas
A water dispenser may not be a traditional area of plumbing, but if it’s important to our customers, it’s important to Bienvenu Brothers. Whether you need a water line installed to service a new dispenser or need recommendations on how to improve your water quality, we’re here to help. Call us today at (504) 835-7783.