Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Access government regulations that bottled water companies must follow

Federal and state government oversight agencies require bottled water companies to test for harmful chemicals and pollutants that jeopardize public safety.

I recommend: Access the bottled water regulations published on the website for the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Since 1998, this government agency has sought to enact regulations that guarantee the safety of all bottled water brands. Download the Bottled Water Code of Practice to find out about the accepted business practices for bottled water distributors and manufacturers, published by the highly influential International Bottled Water Association.

Consider research addressing whether bottled water remains a healthy and safe choice

Learning bottled water news and trends is essential to you if your company is deciding whether to get bottled water delivery for employees or if you are a bottled water supplier whose sales may be affected by research that could sway public opinion on bottled water.

I recommend: Consider the Executive Summary published by the National Resources Defense Council. This summary addresses the risks and benefits of preferring bottled water over tap water. Contact the National Sanitation Foundation in Michigan to find out whether your company's bottled water products can win the organization's seal of approval. Since 1944, the National Sanitation Foundation has certified the safety of food and beverage products sold in the United States.

Ask bottled water companies for product information addressing environmental issues

Leading bottled water manufacturers understand the environmental concerns about using bottled water. Some of these companies maintain consumer affairs representatives who are ready to assist distributors and customers by explaining how the company responds to these public health concerns, such as proper testing to ensure bottled water quality and packaging the water in bottles with reduced amounts of plastic.

I recommend: Contact Poland Spring and PepsiCo, manufacturer of Aquafina, for information and brochures that you can distribute to your customers showing how eco-friendly their bottled water products are.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As you research bottled water news and trends, try to create a bulleted list of facts that can address and refute your customer's concerns about scientific evidence suggesting the product is not as safe as once thought.

Guide to Bottled Water

From office needs to promotional tool, bottled drinking water keeps your business flowing.

By Marianne Cotter, Freelance writer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Bottled water delivery for business

Bottled water delivery is available either in individual bottles sold by the case or in large bottles dispensed from bottled water coolers. Large bottles are more cost effective, although you must buy or rent bottled water coolers and often a refundable deposit is levied on the bottles. Most bottled water coolers are equipped with cold and hot taps, adding versatility.

I recommend: Several national companies compete for the office bottled water delivery market. Nestle Waters (under Arrowhead, Deer Park and other brand names) and Sparkletts are the main ones for bottled water coolers. Staples delivers cases of individual bottles in a selection of brands. Check the business delivered water directory at Business.com for more options.

Personalized bottled water

Personalized or private label bottled water makes a great trade show hand-out. Private label bottled water can also be used at conferences and company-sponsored events such as charities and sports events. Minimum orders, starting at about 40 cases, are required. Make sure personalized bottled water labels are waterproof if you plan to store them in ice.

I recommend: For personalized bottled water, visit PrintGlobe, which offers an online design tool that allows you to upload your company logo and view it on different label designs and bottles.  The Bottled Water Store offers private label bottled water for seven different size bottles with both screw and sports caps. Look for a flat-panel bottle when using a personalized label on a plastic bottle. For a more upscale appearance, Glas offers personalized bottled water labels on glass water bottles. They will even design a uniquely shaped glass bottle for your company.

Bottled water types

Bottled drinking water can be divided into two categories: Natural spring and aquifer waters, and purified municipal water. Purified water goes through many filtering stages and can be oxygenated, flavored, fluoridated and enhanced in other ways. Spring and aquifer waters are bottled at the source, making them more expensive and prestigious. They often contain natural minerals and may be sparkling.

I recommend: See a listing of bottled mineral water suppliers at Business.com. Mineral Springs Bottled Water offers private labels on mineral water.

Bottles for personalized bottled water

The most common and least expensive bottled water bottle is the recyclable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottle. Glass bottles are more expensive and are associated with premium spring and artesian waters. Bottled water bottles come in a variety of shapes, sizes and cap design including flat, screw and sports caps.

I recommend: For a signature look, Glacial Lakes Bottling and Marketing offers bottled drinking water in blue bottles, gold or silver foil, and single and double bottle gift boxes.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use your company logo on any personalized bottled water you plan to hand out to clients, potential clients or attendees at company-sponsored events or trade shows.
• •  To distinguish your company's personalized bottled water, consider using glass bottles instead of plastic and use bottled spring water instead of purified water.
• •  Upgrade your private label bottled water by choosing a bottle with a sports cap.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get personalized service quotes for bottled water delivery to your business water cooler

Most bottled water companies do not have flat fees or standard pricing on their delivery of water coolers. Once you complete a formal request for water delivery, a company representative speaks to you directly about your particular needs. That usually determines pricing and costs of bottled water.

I recommend: Receive a service quote from Office Coffee.com, which specializes in water delivery to offices, industrial companies, retail stores and restaurants, medical facilities and educational institutions. Poland Spring provides water delivery to small and large companies. Contact the company directly for pricing and billing methods. If your business has fewer than 25 employees, you may request water delivery by phone or by completing an online request form. Businesses with more than 25 employees may contact a Poland Spring service representative to start water delivery.

Save money when you purchase bottled water by the case for your office or business

Another cost-effective solution to providing your employees with bottled water is to purchase it in individual bottles sold by the case.

I recommend: Access the online product catalog of Staples, the largest office supply company in the world. Staples offers leading bottled water brands in many sizes, such as half-liter, 20 oz. and 8 oz. bottles. Staples also offers discounts for larger volume purchases. Register with Source Aqua so you can place requests for cases of bottled water that a bottled water supplier receives and bids on. New customers may try this unique method of purchasing bottled water free during a first-time introductory period.

Decide whether to invest in custom labelled bottled drinking water

If you've made the decision to invest in custom labelled water products that advertise your company's brand, search for the supplier offering the best prices for water bottle delivery of these products.

I recommend: Contact Identity Bottling, a major supplier of custom-labelled bottled water, for price quotes on bottles in sizes of 8 oz., 12 oz., 16.9 oz. and 20 oz. Identity Bottling is a nationwide supplier of bottled water with private labels that promote individual company brands. Follow the step-by-step ordering instructions on the Mineral Springs website to submit a purchase order. One of the company's representatives will contact you to discuss prices for your order.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure to ask a supplier of custom bottled drinking water about the price for laminated labels. Lamination guarantees that the labels are waterproof and won't peel off when packed in ice.

Guide to Bottled Water Key Terms

Sound like a pro by learning bottled water key terms

By Kim Hill, Owner, Karsun Designs

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Natural spring water

Natural spring water is different than tap water because it doesn't have added components such as sodium, fluoride, additives and lead that can be found in the tap water supplied to homes and businesses. Many companies stress the fact that they bottle pure natural spring water for a healthier drink.

I recommend: Aquamantra has more information about the benefits of natural spring water as compared with tap water.

Aquifer water

Aquifer water is another term for water that comes from a well. This water is stored in the underground water table in things such as rocks, sand and clay and is then removed by a well. This is another form of bottled water that many companies offer as an alternative to tap water.

I recommend: USGS explains what aquifer water is and how it is stored and used.

Recyclable PET (polyethylene terephthalate)

Polyethylene terephthalate is also known as PET and is a recyclable resin from the polyester family. This is a more ergonomic alternative to plastic bottles that are not recyclable and can show your customers that you care about the environment.

I recommend: Design Boom shows how polyethylene terephthalate bottles are designed and used.

Fluoridated

Fluoridated water is simply water that has added fluoride. Buying fluoridated water ensures that the people who drink the water are getting fluoride levels equal to what is normally found in tap water, meaning less dental cavities.

I recommend: The National Cancer Institute has information on the pros and cons of fluoridated water.

Oxygenated

Oxygenated water is water that has oxygen added to it for a supposed boost in energy, such as getting more oxygen in your lungs when you breathe. Some consider this an advertising gimmick, but it is still a popular component in bottled water that may enhance your business.

I recommend: The Facts About Fitness has a study on oxygenated water and whether it's a necessary component in bottled water.

Personalized or private label

Personalized or private label water allows you to place your company logo or name on the bottles of water that you sell or give away. This is a handy advertising tool that can show off your company.

I recommend: Bottle Your Brand shows how private labels can enhance your advertising budget.