Is Your Water Cooler Making You Sick? The Hidden Risks of 5-Gallon Jugs in the Office

The office water cooler—supposedly the place to hydrate, chat, and escape the dreaded spreadsheet. But what if the one thing that’s supposed to keep your team healthy… is actually making them sick?

It’s not just a scare tactic. Studies have shown that traditional 5-gallon jug water coolers can harbor bacteria, mold, and biofilm—all things that do not belong in your body.

The Dirt on Jug Coolers (Literally)

Let’s talk facts. Typical contaminants found in bottled water cooler dispensers¹ include Heterotrophs, Chemical Residue, and Algae.

Here’s why it happens:

  • Repeated Handling: Every time a jug is replaced, hands come into contact with the spout area. Even if washed, it’s a germ magnet.
  • Airborne Contaminants: When a new jug is loaded, air rushes in—and with it comes dust, microbes, and airborne pollutants.
  • Internal Biofilm Growth: Over time, biofilm (a bacterial slime) can form inside the cooler, especially if it’s not cleaned routinely.
  • Rarely Sanitized: Let’s be honest… when was the last time your cooler got a complete internal cleaning? Proper Cleaning Video

Health Risks to Your Employees

  • Upset stomachs and digestive issues
  • Coughing and respiratory irritation
  • Increased exposure to mold or bacteria (hazardous for immunocompromised employees)
  • Water that tastes… “off”

These aren’t theoretical problems—they’re happening in breakrooms across Central Virginia.

The Bottleless Cure: How Pure Water Virginia Solves the Problem

Unlike outdated jug systems, Pure Water Virginia’s bottleless water coolers are:

Completely sealed systems – no open-air contamination
Purified on-demand – every drop goes through a 5-stage filtration process, including reverse osmosis and UV purification
Self-sanitizing – many units include LED UV protection to prevent microbial growth
Hands-free options available – no need to touch shared buttons or levers

It’s hydration without hesitation.

Old Coolers vs. New Solutions: A Quick Comparison

Feature5-Gallon Jug CoolerPure Water Virginia Bottleless Cooler
Contamination RiskHighLow (sealed + purified)
Maintenance ResponsibilityYours (see video of cleaning your cooler)We handle it
Filtration LevelNone5-stage + Reverse Osmosis
Environmental ImpactPlastic waste & transportEco-friendly, no bottles
Health RiskPossible bacteria/moldMinimal with proper filtration

Don’t Let “Convenient” Cost You Your Health

Your team deserves better than a jug of possibly contaminated water. With Pure Water Virginia, you’re providing safe, clean, great-tasting hydration—without the risk, the plastic, or the stress.

👉 Get a free trial cooler today
👉 Or call us at (804) 964-1800 to learn more.

Source

  1. — “Common contaminants found in bottled water cooler dispensers” (Link)

Internal Link:

Related: Tired of Running Out of Water? Richmond’s Best Alternatives to Water Delivery Services