Getting Started with Home Water Delivery

Setting up a water delivery service at home is simpler than most people expect. Within a few days, you can have fresh drinking water delivered on a regular schedule — no more lugging bottles from the supermarket or worrying about tap water quality. Here's exactly how to do it.

Step 1: Assess Your Household Water Needs

Before contacting any provider, estimate how much water your household actually consumes. A rough guide:

  • An average adult drinks roughly 2 litres of water per day
  • Add extra if water is used for cooking, making tea/coffee, or filling pet bowls
  • A household of four typically uses one to two 18-litre jugs per week

Having this estimate ready makes it much easier to choose the right delivery plan from day one.

Step 2: Research Providers in Your Area

Water delivery is a local service, so availability varies by region. When comparing providers, check:

  • Coverage area — confirm they deliver to your specific address
  • Water source and treatment method — spring, purified, or mineral?
  • Jug or bottle format — large refillable jugs vs. smaller disposable bottles
  • Dispenser availability — do they provide or rent a dispenser unit?
  • Delivery schedule flexibility — weekly, fortnightly, or on-demand?
  • Pricing structure — per jug, subscription, or flat monthly rate?

Step 3: Choose Your Dispenser Setup

Most water delivery services work with a dispenser unit that holds a large refillable jug. There are two main types:

  1. Top-load dispensers — the jug sits on top and feeds by gravity. Less expensive but requires lifting the full jug overhead.
  2. Bottom-load dispensers — the jug sits inside a cabinet at the base. No heavy lifting required, more modern appearance.

Some providers include a free or discounted dispenser with a service contract. Others rent or sell it separately. Clarify this before signing up.

Step 4: Choose a Suitable Location in Your Home

Pick a spot that is:

  • Near a power outlet (for dispensers with hot/cold features)
  • Accessible but out of the way of main foot traffic
  • Close to your kitchen or main living area for convenience
  • On a flat, stable surface capable of supporting the full weight of a loaded jug

Step 5: Schedule Your First Delivery

When booking your first delivery, confirm:

  • Your delivery window and whether someone needs to be home
  • Where to leave jugs if you're not present
  • How to return empty jugs (most services collect them on the next delivery)
  • How to pause or reschedule deliveries if you go away

Step 6: Maintain Your Dispenser

Keep your dispenser clean to ensure water quality and unit longevity:

  • Wipe down the exterior and drip tray weekly
  • Clean the internal reservoir every one to three months with a food-safe sanitiser
  • Replace the tap/spout components as recommended by the manufacturer
  • Keep the jug area covered to prevent dust and contaminants

You're Ready to Go

Setting up home water delivery typically takes less than a week from initial research to first delivery. The convenience of always having clean, great-tasting water on hand — without plastic bottle waste piling up — makes it a genuinely worthwhile addition to most households.