Bottled water is drinking water sold to consumers in sealed containers. It may come from a spring, an artesian well, a groundwater source or even directly from the municipal water supply (tap water).

According to Health Canada, bottled water sold for drinking purposes can contain bacteria, which may increase to maximum levels after six weeks of unrefrigerated shelf life.

Aside from possible health concerns, water bottles represent a challenge for the environment as well. Millions of individual bottles need to be stored, transported and recycled once they are discarded. Unfortunately, not all households or companies participate in recycling programs.

As for large water-cooler bottles, they are inconvenient because they are heavy, difficult to handle and require valuable floor space for storage. Replenishing these bottles can cost thousands of dollars within a few years.