6 Bottled Water Delivery Services Offering Alkaline, Distilled, Spring, etc

Home bottled water delivery can be a convenient way to ensure safe, delicious drinking water at home or on the go. When shopping for bottled water delivery, you’ll have to consider what type of water you’ll buy and what bottle sizes you’ll need. There are many options available, and we cover several of them in this article.

Types of Bottled Water

The most common types of bottled water are spring, purified, and distilled water:

• Spring water is derived from a natural spring and purified by earth’s perfect elements for a clean taste. This water is also known as artesian water, ground water, or well water. The EPA says this type of water can be collected at the point where water flows naturally to the earth’s surface.
• Purified water has been filtered and ozonated for purity. Ozonating is a method to disinfect the water and kill all microbes. Purified water can originate from any source, but it must meet the U.S. Pharmacopeia definition of purified water — essentially water free of all chemicals and microbes.
• Distilled water has been purified by steam vaporization, then cooled, and re-condensed back into the water. Distilling water kills microbes and removes the natural minerals in the water. According to the EPA, this method results in a flat, dull taste.
• Fluoridated water is distilled water with added fluoride. Fluoride can be beneficial for tooth health, but you should consult with your doctor or dentist to find out whether buying fluoridated water is the right choice for you.

Bottled water often comes from a groundwater source, but it may also come from a spring, or even a municipal source. The taste of bottled water can be significantly different from one brand to the next and is a direct result of how it is disinfected. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says tap water tends to have a distinct taste because it is commonly disinfected using cost-effective chlorine. Bottled water is usually disinfected with chloramine, ozone, or ultraviolet light. According to the EPA, the preferred method for optimal taste is ozone.

Another option, albeit lesser-known, is reverse osmosis: a process which removes bacteria, lead, and other impurities by using pressure to push the water through a semi-permeable membrane. Water that has undergone reverse osmosis is said to have the best taste, and is arguably the healthiest option out there. If you don’t know where to find reverse osmosis water, you can always install your own filtration system or even have it delivered to you.

Bottled Water Brands That Offer Home Delivery Service

The following is a list of companies that deliver bottled water. Be prepared to pay fees in addition to the cost of the water. For example, most services will charge a refundable fee if you buy three or five-gallon bottles — the kind that can be used with an upright water dispenser or cooler. You must provide the delivery service with the empty bottles to receive the refund.

Rather than charging customers for shipping, companies usually charge a fuel surcharge, which varies monthly depending on the price of fuel. The charge is usually minimal, but make sure to check whether it’s monthly, or per delivery.

Culligan

Note: Regional Culligan providers are now franchises, so their prices and services vary. We called regional providers in western Pennsylvania, Chicago, Sacramento, and Fresno to provide an idea of what’s available. While prices for five- and three-gallon bottles are similar for different providers, terms of delivery vary. Be sure to ask your local provider about service or fuel fees, minimum purchase commitments, how often they deliver, and the like.

• Sign-up: Contact Culligan to sign up. You can contact them by phone at 1-877-386-0823, or use the online form. If you call them, they will redirect you to your local Culligan service.
• Types of water: Culligan water is spring water that has been disinfected by a reverse osmosis filter.
• Types of bottles: All bottles are plastic, and come in five-gallon, three-gallon, and 16-oz. sizes.
• Prices:
  • Western Pennsylvania:
    • Five and three-gallon bottles are $7.65 each; discounts are available for purchases of more than five bottles per delivery.
    • 24 cases of 16 oz bottles are $7.85.
  • Chicago:
    • Five-gallon bottles are $8.99.
    • Three-gallon bottles are $7.50.
    • 24 cases of 16 oz bottles are $10.49.
  • Sacramento: No residential bottled water delivery available, but they can install a water filter in a home.
  • Fresno:
    • Five- and three-gallon bottles are $5.
• Delivery costs and options:
  • Western Pennsylvania: Home delivery is available for five- and three-gallon bottles. There is a $7 refundable bottle deposit per bottle. Customers must order a minimum of four bottles per delivery.
  • Chicago: Home delivery is available for five- and three-gallon bottles, and 24 cases of 16 oz bottles. There is a $6.00 refundable bottle deposit per bottle. There is a $4.99 fee per delivery. Customers must order a minimum of three bottles per delivery.
  • Fresno, CA: Home delivery is available for five- and three-gallon bottles. There is a $6 refundable bottle deposit per bottle. There is a $1.67 per month service fee. Delivery requires a commitment to a 12-month contract and a two-bottle-per-month minimum. Deliveries occur twice a month.
• Areas serviced: Culligan has services nationwide. In most areas, bottled water delivery is available, and in those where it is not, other options, like installation of a water filter, may be available. Call your local provider to confirm what services are available.

Mountain Valley Spring

• Sign-up: You can shop and purchase online
• Types of water: Find out more in Mountain Valley Springs’ water quality report.
  • Spring Water is collected from a natural spring source that is sodium free and naturally alkaline
  • Sparkling Spring Water is the same spring water, but carbonated. (If you like sparkling water and want to potentially save some money by making your own at home, see our article on SodaStream devices and refillable carbonators.)
  • Flavored Sparkling Spring Water is the same sparkling spring water, but flavored, available in blackberry-pomegranate and lime.
• Types of bottles:
  • Glass five-gallon, two, and half-gallon bottles are available for spring water
  • Glass one liter, 750 ML, 500 ML, and 333 ML bottles are available for spring water, sparkling spring water, and flavored sparkling spring water
  • Plastic four-gallon bottles are available for spring water
  • Plastic one-and-a-half-liter bottle are available for spring water
  • Plastic 750 ml and 500 ml bottle are available for spring water and sparkling spring water
  • Plastic 750 ml bottle with a sports cap are available for spring water and sparkling spring water
• Prices:
  • Cases of glass bottled water range from $23 to $25.
  • Cases of plastic bottled water range from $18 to $20.
• Delivery costs and options:
  • Mountain Valley can direct ship glass one-liter, 750 ml, and 333 ml bottles of spring water and sparkling spring water; glass 750 ml and 333 ml bottles of flavored sparkling water; and plastic one and a half liter and 500 ml bottles of spring water via FedEx. Shipping rates range from $19 to $24 per case
  • For other products, search for local distributors on their website. Shipping costs vary depending on the local distributor. Generally, larger containers, including one-liter bottles and five- or two-and-a-half-gallon bottles, are available via a local distributor.
• Areas Services: Products available for direct shipping can be delivered nationwide. Products delivered via a local distributor are available in most of the US, but you must inquire to confirm.

Poland Spring

• Sign-up: You can sign up online or at 1-866-813-4939.
• Types of water: Find more information in Poland Springs’ water quality report.
  • Poland Spring provides spring water from eight different mountain spring sources in Maine, one of which is named “Poland Spring.”
  • Distilled water is spring water that has been distilled.
  • Sparkling Natural Spring Water is spring water that has been carbonated. It comes in original, raspberry lime, mandarin, black cherry, lime, and lemon flavors.
  • Nestle Pure Life water is purified water.
• Types of bottles:
  • Plastic five-gallon bottles are available for Poland Spring and Nestle Pure Life water.
  • Plastic three-gallon bottles are available for Poland Spring water.
  • Plastic three-liter, 2.5-gallon, one-gallon, 1.5-liter, one-liter, 700 ml, 500ml, 12-ounce, and eight-ounce bottles  are available for Poland Springs water
  • Plastic liter and half-liter bottles are available for sparkling water
  • Plastic one-gallon bottles are available for distilled water
• Prices: First times customers get 50% off their first order, up to $50. Poland Spring has an extensive selection of individual bottles sizes.
  • Five-gallon bottles are $6.99 for spring water and $5.99 for Nestle Pure Life water.
  • Three-gallon bottles are $6.99 for spring water.
  • Two cases of 2.5-gallon bottles are $9.49 for spring water.
  • Six cases of one-gallon bottles are $9.49 for spring water and $11.99 for distilled water.
  • Six cases of three-liter bottles are $7.99 for spring water.
  • 12 cases of 1.5-liter bottles are $14.99 for spring water.
  • 12 cases of one-liter bottles are $11.99 for sparkling spring water.
  • 15 cases of one-liter bottles are $14.99 for spring water.
  • 12 cases of 12 oz bottles are $4.99 for spring water.
  • 24 cases of 700 ml sports-cap bottles are $7.99 for spring water.
  • 32 cases of 500 ml bottles are $6.99 for Nestle Pure Life water.
  • 24 cases of 500 ml bottles are $4.99 for spring water, $5.99 for Nestle Pure Life water, and $11.99 for sparkling spring water.
  • 12 cases of eight-ounce bottles are $3.99 for spring water.
  • 24 cases of eight-ounce bottles are $5.99 for Nestle Pure Life water.
  • 48 cases of eight-ounce bottles are $15.99 for spring water.
• Delivery costs and options: You can opt for delivery weekly, twice a month, once a month, every two months, every three months, or just once. The refundable bottle deposit is a flat $20 for five and three-gallon bottles, no matter how many you order at once. There is a $6.95 fee for one-time deliveries and an additional $3 surcharge for rushed one-time deliveries. All recurring deliveries have a $3.95 fee, except for those to New York City, where the fee is $5.95, and Philadelphia and San Francisco, where the fee is $4.95. Delivery fees are charges once per billing cycle.
• Areas serviced: Poland Spring water is available in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Ozarka

• Sign-up: Sign up online or at 1-866-572-0284
• Types of water: For more information, see this water quality report.
  • Spring water is collected from three springs in Eastern Texas and then filtered and disinfected by UV light and ozone method disinfection.
  • Distilled water is collected from a well or municipal supply, filtered, distilled, and then filtered again by UV light and ozone method disinfection.
  • Sparkling spring water is carbonated spring water. It comes in original, lemon, watermelon lime, and black cherry flavors.
  • Nestle Pure Life water is the Nestle brand of purified water. Because Nestle provides delivery services for Ozarka, you can also order Nestle Pure Life water through Ozarka.
• Types of bottles:
  • Plastic five-gallon bottles are available for spring water, distilled water, and Nestle Pure Life water.
  • Plastic three-gallon bottles are available for spring water.
  • Plastic 2.5-gallon, one-gallon, 1.5-liter, one-liter, 12-ounce, 500-ml, and eight-ounce bottles are available for springs water.
  • Plastic 700-ml sports cap bottles are available for spring water.
  • Plastic liter and half-liter bottles are available for sparkling water.
  • Plastic one-gallon bottles are available for distilled water and spring water.
• Prices and payment:
  • Five-gallon bottles are $6.49 for spring water, $5.99 for Nestle Pure Life water, and $6.49 for distilled water.
  • Three-gallon bottles are $6.49 for spring water.
  • Two cases of 2.5-gallon bottles are $9.49 for spring water.
  • Six cases of one-gallon bottles are $9.49 for spring water and $11.99 for distilled water.
  • 12 cases of 1.5-liter bottles are $14.99 for spring water.
  • 12 cases of one-liter bottles are $11.99 for sparkling spring water.
  • 15 cases of one-liter bottles are $14.99 for spring water.
  • 18 cases of one-liter bottles are $17.99 for Nestle Pure Life water.
  • 12 cases of 12 oz bottles are $4.99 for spring water.
  • 24 cases of 700 ml sports-cap bottles are $7.99 for spring water.
  • 32 cases of 500 ml bottles are $6.99 for Nestle Pure Life water.
  • 24 cases of 500 ml bottles are $4.49 for spring water, $5.99 for Nestle Pure Life water, and $11.99 for sparkling spring water.
  • 12 cases of eight-ounce bottles are $3.99 for spring water.
  • 24 cases of eight-ounce bottles are $5.99 for Nestle Pure Life water.
  • 48 cases of eight-ounce bottles are $15.99 for spring water.
• Delivery costs and options: You can opt for delivery weekly, twice a month, once a month, every two months, every three months, or just once. The refundable bottle deposit is a flat $20 for five- and three-gallon bottles, no matter how many you order at once. There is a $6.95 fee for one-time deliveries and an additional $3 surcharge for rushed one-time deliveries. All recurring deliveries have a $3.95 fee, except for those to New York City, where the fee is $5.95, and Philadelphia and San Francisco, where the fee is $4.95. Delivery fees are charges once per billing cycle.
• Areas Serviced: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas

DS Services of America

DS Services of America is a major bottled water distributor. They distribute several brands of water, including Alhambra, Crystal Springs, Deep Rock Water, Hinckley Springs, Kentwood Springs, Mount Olympus, Sierra Springs, and Sparklett.

Brands are regional, so an online search on DS Services of America’s website will direct you to the brand(s) available in your area. Regions may overlap so more than one brand may be available in your area. If you search for delivery services via the web page for a specific brand but the brand is not available in your area, DS Services of America’s website will redirect you to a brand that is available in your area, provided there is one. Brand-specific information is listed below.

Because the brands are all associated with DS Services of America, much of what they provide is the same. The following information is the same or very similar for all the brands:

• Sign-up: Sign up for any brand online.
• Types of water: Most DS Services of America brands offer the following types of water. We note below if a brand does not offer these.
  • Artesian: Water from a confined aquifer containing groundwater that will flow upward through a well without the need for pumping.
  • Purified: Water that is purified, with minerals are added for taste.
  • Spring: Naturally filtered water from a spring source.
  • Fluoridated: Purified or spring water with added fluoride.
  • Distilled: Water purified by steam vaporization, then cooled and re-condensed back into the water.
• Types of bottles:
  • Returnable five-gallon plastic bottles are available for purified, spring, fluoridated, and distilled water, unless the brand doesn’t offer one of those types of water.
  • Returnable three-gallon plastic bottles are available for purified water and/or spring water as noted by brand.
  • Bottle sizes vary for artesian water; see information under the specific brand.
  • Individual bottles vary by brand.
• Prices:
  • Five and three-gallon bottles always range from $6 to $8.50 depending on the type of water.
• Delivery costs: Deliveries include (1) a variable energy surcharge ranging from $2 to $5, which varies monthly and reflects the price of diesel fuel, (2) any applicable state taxes, and (3) a refundable bottle fee of $5 to $6 if ordering three- or five-gallon bottles.

Below, we list the information that varies by brand.

Alhambra

• Types of water: Alhambra does not offer artesian water.
• Additional types of bottles:
  • Returnable three-gallon plastic bottles are available for purified and spring water.
  • 24 cases of 10 oz plastic bottles are available for purified water.
• Prices:
  • 24 cases of 10 oz plastic bottles are $4.99.
• Areas Serviced: You can search the online directory, which includes: Chico, Fresno, Manteca, Milpitas, Modesto, Monterey, Oakland, Reno, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, Stockton, Union City, and Vallejo

Costco

Note: You can order water delivery via Costco, and you  may be able to take advantage of some discounts if you are a Costco member. Costco uses DS Water Services of America to provide water delivery to its customers, so when you order bottled water through Costco, it will be one of the DS Services of America’s brands. Products and delivery fees will be the same as if you ordered through DS Services of America.

• Sign-up: Sign-up online, or at 1-888-432-4823.
• Prices: Inquire with your local Costco to confirm prices in your are; Costco members may be eligible for the following discounts:
  • Discounts on premium bottom-loading water dispenser rentals
  • Discounts on the price of five- or three-gallon bottles
• Areas serviced: Costco has 508 warehouses across the U.S. Find one online.

Crystal Springs

• Types of water: Crystal Springs does not offer fluoridated water or artesian water.
• Additional types of bottles:
  • Returnable three-gallon plastic bottles are available for purified water.
  • Plastic one-gallon bottles are available for spring water.
  • Plastic one-liter bottles are available for purified water.
  • Plastic 500 ml bottles are available for purified and spring water.
  • Plastic 10 oz bottles are available for purified water.
• Prices:
  • 4 cases of one-gallon bottles are $9.99 for spring water.
  • 12 cases of one-liter bottles are $10.99 for purified water.
  • 24 cases of 500 ml bottles are $5.99 for purified water and $6.49 for spring water.
  • 24 cases of 10 oz bottles are $4.99 for purified water.
• Areas serviced: You can search the online directory, which includes: Atlanta, Baltimore, Burlington, Centralia, Charleston, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Harrisburg, Jacksonville, Kent, Knoxville, Lexington, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, New York, Norfolk, Olympia, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Puyallup, Raleigh, Richmond, Savannah, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Tampa, Washington D.C., West Palm Beach, and Yakima

Deep Rock Water

• Types of water: Deep Rock does not offer fluoridated or spring water.
• Additional types of bottles:
  • Returnable three-gallon plastic bottles are available for purified water.
  • Plastic five, four, three, and 2.5-gallon bottles are available for artesian water.
• Prices:
  • Five and four-gallon bottles are $8.49 for artesian water.
  • Four-gallon bottles are $7.49 for artesian water.
  • 2.5-gallon bottles are $6.99 for artesian water.
• Areas serviced: You can search the online directory, which includes: Cheyenne, Colorado Springs, Denver, Grand Junction, and Pueblo

Hinckley Springs

• Types of water: Hinckley Springs does not offer artesian water.
• Additional types of bottles:
  • Returnable three-gallon plastic bottles are available for purified.
  • Plastic 500 ml bottles for purified water.
• Prices:
  • 24 cases of 500 ml bottles are $5.99 for purified water.
• Areas serviced: You can search the online directory, which includes: Arlington Heights, Chicago, Des Moines, Elgin, Fishers, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Kewanee, Madison Wis., Mattoon, Milwaukee, Mundelein, Peoria, Portage, Quincy, Rockford, Springfield Ill, St. Louis, and Topeka

Kentwood Springs

• Types of water: Kentwood Springs does not offer spring or purified water in five or three-gallon bottles.
• Additional types of bottles:
  • Plastic 500 ml bottles are available for purified water.
  • Plastic 10 oz bottles are available for purified water.
• Prices:
  • Five- and three-gallon bottles of artesian water are $7.49.
  • 24 cases of 500 ml bottles are $5.99 for purified water.
  • 24 cases of 10 oz bottles are $4.99 for purified water.
• Areas serviced: You can search the online directory, which includes: Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Gulf Breeze, Gulfport-Biloxi, Houma, Jackson, Kentwood, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Mobile, New Orleans, Patterson, Pensacola, Ridgeland, Scott, Shreveport, Slidell, Theodore, and Venice

Mount Olympus

• Types of water: Mount Olympus does not offer artesian water.
• Additional types of bottles:
  • Plastic three-gallon bottles are available for spring water, but not purified water.
  • Plastic one-gallon bottles are available for spring water.
  • Plastic 500 ml bottles are available for spring water.
• Prices:
  • Four cases of one-gallon bottles are $6.25 for spring water.
  • 24 cases of 500 ml bottles are $6.49 for spring water.
• Areas serviced: You can search the online directory, which includes: Boise, Pocatello, Salt Lake City, and Twin Falls

Sierra Springs

• Types of water: Sierra Springs does not offer artesian water.
• Additional types of bottles:
  • Plastic three-gallon bottles are available for purified and spring water.
  • Plastic 500 ml bottles are available for purified water.
• Prices:
  • 24 cases of 500 ml bottles are $5.99 for purified water.
• Areas serviced: You can search the online directory, which includes: Amarillo, Bend, El Paso, Eugene, Lubbock, Medford, Midland, Odessa, Portland, Salem, and Tillamook

Sparkletts

• Types of water: Sparkletts does not offer distilled or artesian water. Sparkletts also sells sparkling water in original, lemon-lime, and raspberry flavors.
• Additional types of bottles:
  • Plastic 10 oz bottles are available for purified water.
  • 12 oz cans are available for sparkling water.
• Prices:
  • 24 cases of 10 oz bottles are $4.99 for purified water.
  • 12 cases of 12 oz cans are $3.99 for sparkling water.
• Areas serviced: You can search the online directory, which includes: Austin, Bakersfield, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Mesa, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Tucson

In Summary

There are a lot of options for bottled water delivery in most areas. While prices for water are similar across providers, keep an eye out for fees associated with delivery. For example, some companies charge a fuel fee per month, while others charge for delivery. Refundable bottle deposit fees can also make a difference because some companies charge per bottle, while others charge a flat fee. And, since bottled water delivery services vary regionally, keep an eye out for local specifics before you finalize your order.