Case Study: How One Office Cut Costs With A Premium Hydration Station

When a fast growing marketing firm in Chicago looked at its annual water spend, the numbers did not make sense. The company had around 150 employees but was paying for pallet loads of single use bottles and multiple jug coolers on every floor. Storage rooms were full of empties, deliveries were constant and nobody was quite sure what the true cost was.

This commercial hydration station case study follows how that business replaced bottled water and jugs with three premium wall mounted drinking fountain and bottle filler combinations, supplied through The Fountain Direct. In the process, the firm cut its water costs, freed valuable space and created a cleaner, more sustainable workplace.

The Starting Point: Bottled Water And Jug Coolers

Before the upgrade, the office relied on a mix of five-gallon jugs and cases of small plastic bottles. Like many firms, they had drifted into bottled delivery because it felt easy. Over time the price rises and hidden fees added up. Industry comparisons show that bottleless dispensers can cost up to 80 percent less than bottled water delivery once you account for jug prices, delivery charges and rentals. 

In this office, monthly invoices for water alone averaged just over 400 dollars. That did not include time spent managing orders, moving heavy jugs or clearing recycling bins. Staff complained that coolers regularly ran dry in the afternoon, and visitors sometimes found only warm bottles left in the fridge. For a brand that sold itself on sharp, modern ideas, the hydration setup felt dated.

Why The Business Decided To Change

The finance director started the project with a simple goal: reduce recurring costs without making life harder for staff. At the same time, the leadership team wanted to shrink the company’s plastic footprint. Studies from universities and public agencies show that bottle filling stations can replace tens of thousands of single use bottles every year by making refills more convenient. 

There was also a well-being angle. Managers had noticed that people left the building to buy drinks, especially during busy seasons. That meant lost time and extra expense for employees. If the office could provide chilled, filtered water in the right places, teams would be more likely to stay hydrated and stay on site.

Choosing A Premium Hydration Station

The facilities manager began researching bottle fillers and came across The Fountain Direct, a specialist supplier focused solely on drinking fountains and hydration stations for workplaces, schools and public spaces. The site emphasises high-quality American-made solutions and clear, practical guidance rather than generic catalogues. (The Fountain Direct)

Using the dedicated workplace water dispensers collection, the team compared several wall-mounted drinking fountains and bottle filler combinations designed for offices. They narrowed the shortlist to units that offered filtered, chilled water, touchless bottle filling and ADA-compliant fountain bowls in a compact frame. Product pages highlighted ideal applications in offices and break rooms, and explained how bottle counters and sensor controls support hygiene and sustainability in busy commercial spaces. (The Fountain Direct)

The Installation Plan

Rather than matching every old cooler one to one, the company decided to install three premium stations in smarter positions: one near the main break area, one in the open plan workspace and one next to meeting rooms. Each unit combined a refrigerated drinking fountain with a high speed bottle filler, replacing two or three separate coolers.

Because the chosen models were designed as wall mounted hydration stations for offices, installers could connect them directly to existing water and power supplies without major building work. The Fountain Direct team helped the contractor confirm mounting heights, ADA clearances and drainage requirements so the new stations would serve everyone comfortably from day one. (The Fountain Direct)

The Numbers: ROI For A Drinking Fountain Business Case

Within the first year, the savings were clear. By cancelling bottled water delivery and jug rentals, the company reduced its recurring water spend by just over 70 percent. External comparisons support this scale of saving, with bottle free systems often costing a fraction of bottled delivery once installed. 

If we look at a simple example, a firm that had been paying 400 dollars per month for bottled water now spends around 110 dollars per month on filter changes and occasional servicing. That frees up roughly 3,500 dollars a year. Over the typical life of a quality hydration station, the investment in equipment and installation is paid back several times. For this marketing agency, the ROI drinking fountain business story was strong enough that finance approved similar upgrades for a smaller satellite office the following year.

Plastic reduction was just as significant. Based on manufacturer estimates that a single bottle filling station can eliminate up to 15,000 disposable bottles per year, three units running in a busy office could reasonably replace more than 40,000 bottles annually. (elkay.com)

Even with conservative assumptions, the firm’s sustainability report could show a meaningful drop in single use plastics, supported by the visible bottle saving counters on each unit. For a client facing business that regularly hosts visitors, this became a talking point that supported their wider environmental commitments.

Practical Benefits Beyond The Spreadsheet

The hydration station cost savings company gained were not only financial. Several practical advantages showed up in everyday operations. Storage rooms were no longer stacked with jugs and shrink wrapped cases. That freed shelves for marketing materials and IT equipment. Delivery traffic dropped, which simplified building access and reduced interruptions.

Staff feedback improved quickly. People appreciated that the water was colder, tasted better and never “ran out” in the middle of the afternoon. Because bottle fillers were quicker than old coolers, queues at break times disappeared. New starters and visitors understood how to use the stations immediately, without labels or instructions.

The maintenance team also noticed the difference. Instead of wrestling with heavy jugs and dealing with spilled water around coolers, their routine shifted to simple filter changes and wipe downs built into regular cleaning. With clear part numbers and support from The Fountain Direct, ordering replacement filters and components was straightforward. (The Fountain Direct)

Lessons From This Business Water Station Installation Success

A few lessons stand out from this business water station installation success story. First, it helps to treat hydration as core infrastructure rather than a minor convenience. When you plan locations, capacities and accessibility properly, fewer units can serve more people more effectively.

Second, the choice of equipment matters. Premium, commercial grade stations built for offices and public buildings perform differently from light duty coolers. They are designed for constant use, easy cleaning and straightforward servicing, which keeps them in service for longer and improves long term value. Third, the numbers are easier to justify when you look at total life cycle cost instead of focusing solely on the initial purchase.

Why This Firm Chose The Fountain Direct

From the company’s point of view, one of the biggest advantages was having a specialist partner rather than a general supplier. The Fountain Direct exists specifically to help organisations choose and deploy high quality hydration stations. The business brings together indoor drinking fountains, wall mounted bottle fillers and outdoor units from trusted American brands in one place, with clear information on where each product works best. (The Fountain Direct)

For this project, that meant the facilities manager could compare options for offices, check ADA and performance details, and then place an order with confidence. Post installation, the same partner remains on hand for parts, new locations and future upgrades as the firm expands.

If your organisation is still paying for bottled water delivery or juggling outdated coolers, this commercial hydration station case study shows what is possible. By working with The Fountain Direct and choosing premium, office ready stations, you can turn hydration into a visible strength of your workplace instead of a recurring problem. Start by exploring their indoor drinking fountain and bottle filler ranges, then build your own plan for cost savings, better sustainability and healthier people at work.