Culligan Water is a popular brand of bottled water that is delivered directly to homes and offices in large multi-gallon bottles. One of their most common bottle sizes is the 5-gallon size. If you are considering getting Culligan water delivered, you may be wondering, how much does a 5-gallon bottle of Culligan water cost?
Overview of Culligan Water
Culligan is an American water treatment company that was founded in 1936. They are best known for their water-softening systems that help reduce minerals like calcium and magnesium in hard water.
In addition to water softeners, Culligan also offers:
- Bottled water delivery services
- Water filters
- Drinking water systems
- Commercial water treatment solutions
Culligan provides bottled water in a variety of bottle sizes ranging from 2.5 gallons up to 5 gallons. The water is filtered at Culligan facilities before being bottled in BPA-free plastic bottles.
The 5-gallon bottles are a popular choice for homes and offices that go through a lot of drinking water. The larger size means you don’t have to replace empty bottles as frequently. The 5-gallon jugs can be used with water coolers or dispensers.
Cost of a 5-Gallon Bottle of Culligan Water
So how much does a 5-gallon bottle of Culligan water cost? Here are some key details on pricing:
Base Price: The base price for a 5-gallon bottle is around $6 to $8 on average. However, the exact price can vary by local provider.
Delivery Fee: There is usually a flat delivery fee charged each time a delivery is made. This can range from $3 to $7 on average.
Rental Fees: Most Culligan dealers include the cost of renting the water cooler/dispenser in the overall water price. However some dealers may charge a small rental fee, such as $5 per month.
Taxes: Sales tax will need to be added to the final price. The tax rate is determined on your location.
Discounts: Many Culligan providers offer regular delivery discounts if you order multiple bottles per month. Discounts may give you $1 to $2 off per 5-gallon bottle.
Let’s take a look at some example price breakdowns:
- 5-gallon bottle base price: $7
- Delivery fee per drop-off: $5
- No rental fees
- 7% sales tax
- Ordering 6 bottles per month
- Qualify for $2/bottle discount
Total: 6 bottles x $7 = $42 – (6 x $2 discount) = $30 + (6 x $5 delivery) = $60 + $4.20 tax = $64.20/month
Benefits of 5-Gallon Culligan Water
There are a few benefits that come with choosing the 5-gallon bottles from Culligan:
Convenience: Home and office water delivery means you don’t have to lug heavy bottles from the store. Water is delivered directly to you.
Cost savings: Delivery plans with ordering discounts can provide savings over buying individual bottles from the store. Larger bottles mean less frequent replacement.
Consistent supply: Delivery ensures you have a steady supply of fresh drinking water whenever you need it. No more running out.
Filtration: Culligan water goes through a thorough filtration process to reduce impurities, improving taste and quality.
Factors That Influence Culligan Water Pricing
There are a few key factors that can impact how much you pay for Culligan water bottles:
Provider/Dealer: Each local Culligan dealer can set their own pricing for water and delivery. Comparing prices from different dealers in your area is recommended.
Delivery distance: The further away the provider, the higher the delivery fees are likely to be. Choosing a closer provider saves on drive time.
Order frequency: How often you get deliveries can affect discount eligibility. Larger/more frequent orders may qualify you for better discounts.
Bottle size: The 5-gallon size is the most economical choice. Smaller 2-3 gallon bottles have higher per-gallon costs.
Cooler rental: If your provider charges rental fees for water coolers, it adds to the overall cost. Purchasing your own cooler can avoid these.
Alternatives to Culligan 5-Gallon Bottled Water
Culligan is not your only option when it comes to 5-gallon bottled drinking water. Consider the following alternatives:
Major bottled water brands – Nestle, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola’s Dasani brand all offer home/office water delivery in 5-gallon jugs. Pricing is competitive with Culligan.
Regional water providers – Many areas have local or regional water bottling companies that provide delivery services. These can sometimes be more affordable than the national brands.
Water filtration systems – Installing an under-sink or whole-house water filter can provide filtered water from your tap and reduce the need for delivered bottles.
Refilling 5-gallon jugs – Some grocery stores and water mills have self-service dispensers for refilling empty 5-gallon bottles at a lower cost than exchange services.
DIY bottleless water coolers – These systems connect directly to your water line and filter/chill water without the need for delivered bottles.
FAQs About 5-Gallon Culligan Water
How long will a 5-gallon bottle last in a home or office?
For a family of 4, a 5-gallon bottle will typically last 1-2 weeks. Offices may go through a bottle in 3-5 days depending on usage and number of people. High-use locations may need multiple bottles per week.
Is Culligan water purified or spring water?
Culligan bottles their drinking water using a purification process, not natural spring water. Water is filtered to remove impurities, rather than bottled directly from a spring source.
What are the dimensions of a 5-gallon Culligan water bottle?
The bottles are approximately 12 inches in diameter and stand 35-38 inches tall. They are meant to fit standard 5-gallon water dispensers and coolers.
Can Culligan bottles be returned and reused?
Yes, the 5-gallon plastic bottles are collected, sanitized, and reused by Culligan after delivery. This is more sustainable than recycling disposable bottles.
Does Culligan offer smaller or larger bottles than 5 gallons?
Yes, they offer sizes ranging from 2.5 gallons up to larger 18.9 gallon bottles for high volume users. But the 5 gallon is the most common size for homes and offices.
Is there a contract required for Culligan water delivery service?
Most Culligan dealers do not require a long-term contract for standard bottled water delivery. Contracts may be needed for large dispenser equipment leases or commercial accounts.
Can you buy Culligan water bottles at retail stores rather than delivery?
Some retail stores sell Culligan water, but selection is limited. Delivery ensures you get the bottle size you want when you need it. Check with local Culligan dealers in your area for store availability.
The Bottom Line
A 5-gallon bottle of Culligan water will cost the average customer around $6 to $8 for the bottle itself. With the added fees for delivery, taxes, rentals, etc., expect to pay approximately $60 to $90+ per month for a standard home/office delivery plan.
Pricing depends largely on your specific local Culligan provider’s rates and your desired delivery frequency. Be sure to comparison shop between dealers in your region to find the best value. And take advantage of discounts for larger bottle orders.
While not the cheapest option, delivered 5-gallon jugs offer convenience and ensure you have filtered drinking water stocked when you need it.
