Water Delivery Service FAQs

Step 1: Choose your water type

We offer a variety of water types to choose from, including artesian spring, distilled, reverse osmosis, premium drinking, Deer Park, and Mountain Valley water. You can also pick a variety of sizes, including 5-gallon bottles and 1-gallon jugs.

Step 2: Choose a water dispenser

If needed, you can also choose a water dispenser. You can select white, black, or stainless steel. You can also choose a dispenser with an optional hot water upgrade.

Step 3: Choose your delivery schedule

We deliver to most areas every two weeks with the exception of some outlying areas, which we service monthly. You can choose the delivery schedule that works best for you.

Step 4: Place your order

Once you’ve chosen your water type, dispenser, and delivery schedule, you can place your order online or by phone. We will start delivering your water right away!

If you’re interested in our 3 and 5-gallon water products, please note that the price is calculated per bottle, and your monthly cost will depend on your usage. Assuming you’re an average household or small business, you’ll likely use about four bottles per month and will need to rent a water dispenser. The average cost for this will be approximately $42.00. Please note that your first delivery will be slightly more expensive because 3 and 5-gallon water products require a returnable bottle deposit.

Our spring water comes from our own protected artesian source in Brimfield, Oh. Read our blog post, “An Introduction to The Distillata Spring Water Source” to learn more. Our distilled and reverse osmosis waters are made from a municipal source. Both are treated to remove 99% of the total dissolved solids and other impurities.

Our bottled water is made in Ohio in our downtown Cleveland location. We have been processing our products in this same location since 1897. Our original water  was distilled which we still carry and is a popular choice. We have since added spring and reverse osmosis products.

This is a common question and given our name, we understand the confusion! After all, in Italian, our name literally means THE distilled water company. And we did start our selling strictly distilled water to homes in Cleveland, Oh. Since then we have expanded our product line to include artesian spring and reverse osmosis waters.

Our plastic three and five-gallon water bottles, also called “carboys,” are subject to an $8.00 deposit. Mountain Valley glass bottles are subject to a $50.00 deposit. This means that when you place your initial order, you will be charged an $8.00 deposit for each plastic bottle or $50.00 for each glass bottle. For example, you will be charged a $16.00 deposit if you order two plastic bottles.

On future deliveries, you will not be charged a deposit. Instead, we will exchange your empty bottles for full bottles. This means that you will only be charged for the water, not for the bottles. For example, you will not be charged anything if you have two empty bottles and we deliver two full bottles.

If you have any questions about our 5-gallon water bottle deposit program, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Yes, we are happy to accept empty 5-gallon water bottles from any company if they are in clean, reusable condition. We do this because we want to be as environmentally friendly as possible. By reusing bottles, we can help reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills. If you have empty water bottles from other companies, please feel free to leave them out for our delivery drive. We will be happy to exchange them for full bottles.

*Due to compatibility issues we can not accept empty Primo Water bottles.

*No cash value. Competitor empty 5-gallon bottle return credit will be issued as an account credit.

Distillata offers four different types of water: spring, premium drinking, distilled, and reverse osmosis. Each type has its own unique set of features and benefits.

• Spring water is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, giving it a slightly mineralized taste. It’s a good choice for people who want naturally refreshing and flavorful water.
• Distilled water is made by boiling water and then condensing the steam. This process removes all impurities, including minerals, bacteria, and viruses. It’s a good choice for people who need completely pure and sterile water.
• Premium drinking water is a combination of spring and distilled. It is a good choice for those who want pure, clean water with some minerals and a longer shelf life. 
• Reverse osmosis water is made by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This process removes impurities and contaminants. It’s a good choice for people who want pure and clean water.

 This water comparison chart will help you choose.

Yes, we offer several BPA-free water bottle options. Our small pack cases, one and 2.5-gallon bottles, 5-gallon reverse osmosis, and distilled water bottles are all made from BPA-free PET #1 plastic. Mountain Valley spring water comes in glass bottles.

Our 3-gallon bottles and spring or distilled 5-gallon bottles are made from polycarbonate #7, a food-grade plastic that may contain trace levels of BPA. The FDA has again confirmed the safety of BPA for currently approved uses in food containers and packaging, including these water bottles.

Yes, Distillata is a proud distributor of Mountain Valley Spring Water, which have a number of premium spring and sparkling water products available in glass containers. These glass bottles come in various sizes, including 11 oz, 1 liter, 2.5 liter, 5 gallon, and more.

Bottle water should be stored in a cool, dark place. The ideal temperature is between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Direct sunlight and fluorescent light can cause the water to turn green, so keeping it out of these rays is best.

You can purchase a cooler cover if you do not have a cool, dark place to store your water. This will help to protect the water from the elements and keep it fresh. In addition, you should rotate the bottles so that the oldest ones are used first.

We offer three delivery schedules: every two weeks, every four weeks, or upon your request. Certain outlying areas can only receive deliveries every four weeks.

• Every two weeks: This is the most popular option. Your water will be delivered every other week, on the same day of the week.
• Every four weeks: Your water will be delivered every four weeks, or once a month, on the same day of the week.
• Upon request: This option allows you to deliver your water when needed.

No, you do not have to be home for water deliveries. We will leave the water bottles and dispensers wherever you like, as long as it is a safe and accessible location. However, please note that the risk of any potential damage and/or theft passes to you, the purchaser, at the time of delivery.

We recommend you designate a specific location for your water bottles and dispensers. This will help ensure they are not accidentally knocked over or damaged. You should also make sure that the location is cool and dry.

If you cannot be home for your bottled water delivery, you can leave instructions for the driver.

Our water delivery schedule may vary during holidays. Most of the time, your water will be delivered one day early. However, there may be times when your delivery is delayed or moved to a different day.

If your delivery falls the week of or the week before a holiday, please contact our customer service department to ask about your delivery schedule. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your understanding.

We sanitize and reuse your empty water bottles. Simply leave them in a safe spot where our delivery driver can see them. We will then leave your full bottles in the same location.

Here’s how our water bottle subscription service works:

• Delivery schedule: Once you set up your subscription, we’ll let you know your delivery schedule. You’ll know exactly when your water bottles are coming.
• Reminder options: We offer two easy ways to receive reminders:
  • Calendar requests: We can send you a calendar to stay organized and know when deliveries are coming.
  • Phone call/text message reminders: Tell us your contact information and preferred reminder method, and we’ll handle the rest.

Managing your subscription is effortless. If you need help, contact our customer support.

Our water coolers are plug-and-play, but there are a few things you need to do to ensure optimal performance. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Find a suitable location. Your water cooler should be placed in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.
2. Unpack the water cooler and remove all of the packaging materials.
3. Connect the water cooler to a power outlet.
4. Fill the water reservoir with fresh, cold water.
5. Turn on the water cooler and allow it to run for a few minutes to flush out the system.

Here are some additional tips for setting up your new water cooler:

• Ensure the water cooler is level.
• Clean the water cooler regularly to prevent bacteria and mold buildup.

Here is a video tutorial that shows you how to set up your new water cooler.

We care about your children’s safety. That’s why we offer child-proof water cooler spigots to protect your little ones. Our spigots are designed to prevent accidental burns and spills. Our easy-to-use system allows adults to dispense water safely while kids can not. To get your child-proof spigots, just contact our customer service department or tell your driver, and we’ll provide them.

A water cooler leak is usually caused by the bottle itself. If there is a pinhole or a crack somewhere in the bottle it will overfill the reservoir of your cooler and leak. To remedy this, simply take the bottle off the dispenser, drain the cooler out through the spigots and put a new bottle on. Mark the bottle that caused the problem and your driver will exchange it for you at no charge. You can find more detailed directions on how to fix a leaking water dispenser here. If you try this and the cooler continues to leak please contact our customer service department.

A water cooler leak is usually caused by the bottle. If there is a pinhole or a crack somewhere in the bottle, it will overfill the reservoir of your cooler and leak. To remedy this, take the bottle off the dispenser, drain the cooler through the spigots, and put a new bottle on. Mark the bottle that caused the problem, and your driver will exchange it for you at no charge. You can find more detailed directions on how to fix a leaking water dispenser here. If you try this and the cooler continues to leak, please contact our customer service department.

Having issues with your water cooler? No worries! In this article, water cooler troubleshooting and maintenance tips, you can get answers to these issues: 

• Thermostat adjustment
• Freezing cooler
• No cold water dispensing
• Water is not cold
• Water is not hot
• Leaking unit
• Cleaning instructions

If you need further assistance, contact us, and our experts will be more than happy to help you in any way we can!

Changing your Distillata water bottle is a breeze with the easy-grip handle and germ-free seal. Plus, our water guard adapter will make your experience spill-free! Watch this video to learn how to open and replace a 5-gallon water bottle.

We prefer that you use our water cooler. However, the bottles are fairly universal and can be used in most coolers.

Ruh roh, the spigot broke off your water cooler! Read this tutorial (video option included) to learn how to replace a water cooler spigot in a few easy steps so you can get back to healthy hydrating.

Read this short article to learn how many water bottles are in a gallon and other common sizes. Make sure you are getting the best value and reduce your plastic waste!

All of our water coolers are about 1 foot wide and 1 foot deep. They are about 4 feet tall without the bottle. With the bottle on top of the unit, they are approximately 5 feet and two inches.

Distillata offers four different kinds of locally-sourced water, as well as water from top brands such as Mountain Valley. Click here for a quick tutorial on how our water is produced.

All of the waters are tested at the source, throughout the bottling process, and as a final product. The caps and bottles are tested as well. We perform in-house hourly monitoring. Weekly and yearly testing is performed by National Testing Laboratories and submitted to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. You can view copies of our yearly testing below.

• Distillata spring source water
• Spring water finished product
• Distilled water finished product
• Reverse Osmosis water finished product
• Premium Drinking water finished product

The date codes located on all of our water bottles indicate the date the water was bottled. For the best results you should use the water within two years of the date code.

Yes, our 3 and 5 gallon water bottles are reused dozens of times. Between each use they are inspected and sanitized with our state of the art equipment. When they are no longer useable, we recycle our 5 and 5 gallon water bottles with a local company.

Distillata services all of Northeast Ohio. We deliver to the following counties: Geauga, Cuyahoga, Lorain, Ashtabula, Lake, Summit, Portage, Stark, Wayne, Trumbull, Mahoning, Medina, and Columbiana.

Yes, we offer curbside pick up at our warehouse in Cleveland, Oh. at a discounted rate. Learn more about bottled water curbside pick up here. You can also get pallet water by the truckload with our truckload water pick up service.

Looking for the cheapest bottled water delivery? We offer promotions on a regular schedule to help you save money. Check out our current offers here.

Yes, we have years of experience with emergency drinking water delivery in the Cleveland, Akron, and Youngstown areas. Read this article to learn more about how to plan your emergency drinking water supply.

We offer water coolers with baby-proof spigots to prevent small children from dispensing hot or cold water. The spigots are designed for easy operation and removal. Enjoy the benefits of these child-safe spigots and gain peace of mind, knowing that your children cannot access hot or cold water. These spigots help prevent accidents, such as burns or scalding.

Order baby-proof spigots here. Remember that all our water dispensers are adaptable; just make a note of your request at checkout. If you have any questions, please contact us

You should not refill water cooler bottles with tap water or anything else for that matter as it can introduce bacteria if not sanitized professionally between refills. 

Before use, remove the germ-free seal. The sticker protects the inner cap from exposure so you can load and dispense the water sanitary and spill-free.

Always use distilled or sterilized water with a Neti pot. Tap water can cause serious infections.

 Yes, it can be included with plastic grocery bag recycling at participating locations. Plastic film & bags should never be placed in your curbside collection. Stores, including Heinens & Target, have bins for easy drop-off instead.

Water weighs about 8 lbs. per gallon. Distillata water in plastic 5-gallon bottles weigh about 41 lbs. Mountain Valley Spring Water in 5-gallon glass bottles weigh about 48 – 50 lbs. If these options are too heavy for you, try our 3-gallon water bottles instead!

Don’t panic. The floating plug you see in your bottle is normally located in the cap, but you don’t usually see it. The purpose of the plug is to allow you to load the bottle onto your water cooler without spilling water. Your water dispenser typically pushes or punctures the plug. Occasionally, the plug may dislodge and float in the water. It is a germ-free, sanitized item. You do not need to be concerned that your water is contaminated.