Weight of the Bottles: The common 5-gallon water bottles currently in use by businesses weigh upwards of 40 pounds each, as a single gallon of water weighs 8 pounds.  The weight of these bottles creates several problems.  Many people are physically not able to lift the bottles and place them on the cooler; those that can often find it awkward and end-up spilling water all over themselves and the surrounding area.  The difficulty in changing the bottles means the water cooler stays empty until a suitable person comes around who is willing to replace the bottle.  The weight of the bottle also creates a safety hazard.  Thousands of Worker's Comp. cases have been filed for strained backs as a result of lifting a 5-gallon bottle.  The end result is an increase in insurance premiums and the loss of key employees. Storage for the Bottles: The cost of owning or leasing office, retail and warehouse space is high and nearly always on the rise, thus many customers complain about the space needed to store the bottles.  Consider that some class 'A' office space costs $30/sq.ft per year to lease, this means that it will cost the business at least $360/year to store 5 to 6 bottles.  What ends up happening is that businesses cut back on the amount of bottles they get per delivery and the result is no water until the next delivery; this can sometimes be days. Cross-Contamination from Handling Bottles: 5-gallon water bottles are prime candidates for cross contamination because the customers must handle the bottle in order to replace it on the cooler.  When anyone removes the cap from the bottle, the only way to position it on the cooler is to place their bare hand around the neck of the bottle.  This means that whatever germs or bacteria that person's hands have are transferred to the neck of the bottle that is now in the water reservoir.  Essentially, this person has just dipped their hands -and all the bacteria- into the source of the water.  Once inside the cooler resevoir, germs and bacteria begin to breed.  Have you ever seen someone take the time to use rubber gloves while they handle a 5-gallon water bottle?  Of course not. Contamination from the Air: In order for water to flow out of the bottle, it has to be replaced by air.  Everyone is familiar with the "glut-glut" noise and rising bubbles generated in the cooler when water flows out.  The air that causes this is coming from the space outside and around the water cooler.  Therefore, any airborne contaminants are being transferred into the water supply.  In enviornments such as printing companies and auto body shops, strong and dangerous chemicals in the air finds their way into the bottled water cooler. Running Out of Water: There are several factors that cause companies to run out of bottled water.  We've already mentioned problems with weight and storage; budgetary issues also contribute to businesses not ordering a sufficient amount of water.  When it does run out, employees become dissatisfied or frustrated, which equals a drop-off in productivity.  Another reason companies may run out of water is a spike in the outside temperature or change in season that causes people to consume more water than usual.  Finally, poor weather conditions may force water companies to suspend delivery, which means their schedules get backed-up and water will not reach the customers when it should. Excessive Costs: The cost of a 5-gallon water bottle varies based on the number of bottles consumed monthly and the pricing policy of the provider; it ranges from $5.00 to $10.00 per bottle, with the average hovering around $7.00 per bottle; add to that the average price of $10.00-$15.00 per month for a cooler that provides hot and cold water.  And don't forget that as energy and gas prices continue to increase, bottled water companies will pass those costs onto the customer via increased servcie costs.  Companies also lose out on the money tied-up in deposits for the bottles.