Navigating the maze of Costco seems to require a slew of insider knowledge — and many members pride themselves on knowing all of the savvy shopping hacks, bargain-hunting tips, and best food buys they can get their hands on. But though everyone is familiar with (and loves) the free samples, $1 hot dogs, and in-house food courts, even hardcore fans of the wholesale chain may be missing out on a lesser-known perk that accompanies their membership: water delivery.
Delish recently ranked Costcos water delivery service as one of the nations best but added that “some of the most dedicated Costco members dont know about this stellar deal.” According to Costco, members simply select their preferred type of bottled water (spring or purified), available in three- or five-gallon bottles, then choose a water dispenser, which can pour hot and/or cold water, and schedule deliveries. The spring water starts at $7.49 per bottle while purified water starts at a buck cheaper, $6.49.
Water delivery to the home or office certainly has some obvious perks: convenience, potentially lower pricing than buying individual bottles, and better-tasting water than one might pour out of the local tap. But is Costcos water delivery service a good deal overall?
Expect a third-party service
For home or office water delivery, Costco facilitates the process, but the company clarifies that “Costco and its affiliates do not sell the water or provide the equipment and/or delivery services associated with this program.” Rather, Costco teams up with suppliers, so the service is available in “most U.S. markets” but not necessarily everywhere. According to The Spruce Eats, Costco works with a company called ReadyRefresh, a carbon-neutral outfit, for its water delivery service. And while the customer has flexibility, such as choosing the frequency of deliveries and the number of water bottles needed, there is a minimum purchase requirement of roughly $12 for each delivery.
ReadyRefresh is owned by Nestlé Waters North America, so most of the brands available for delivery are ones under the massive companys umbrella. Availability is determined by geographic location, but in addition to Nestlé Pure Life, the company stocks well-known regional brands, such as Deer Park, Poland Spring, and Zephyrhills, among others (via Nestlé Waters). The company notes that water deliveries can be scheduled at various intervals. Businesses might require weekly drop-offs while home users may choose monthly plans. Customers can change the amount they want to be delivered during the subscription, but if you skip a delivery altogether, tough luck — you can expect to pay the same monthly fee.
The perks and costs of Costco water delivery
As Costco notes, water bottles are delivered “clean and sanitized,” eliminating any germaphobic concerns. And dispensers (though the availability of different models will vary by location) have a removable drip tray for easy cleanup. For those who want to minimize environmental impact, ReadyRefresh will pick up any empty bottles, then sanitize them in-house, and recycle them. The company claims it “lead[s] the industry in reusing 3- and 5-gallon bottles.”
Business.com explains that the water bottles are spill-proof for zero leakage during installation, and some customers may be able to receive bottom-load dispensers for 5-gallon bottles — but every dispenser costs extra, of course. And Quick Sprout adds that bottom-load dispensers also incur an additional fee, roughly $3 for Executive Members and $5 for Gold Star Members, charged every four-week billing cycle.
Meanwhile, the overall cost of a subscription will be lower for Executive Members than Gold Star Members. After all, Executive Members, according to Costco, pay an additional $60 “upgrade fee” for their yearly membership, so they receive optimal pricing.
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FAQ
How does Costco water delivery works?
How many 5-gallon water jugs do I need monthly?
Why is Costco water cheap?
What water company does Costco use?
Does Costco offer bottled water delivery?
Enjoy exclusive pricing on bottled water delivery to your home or workplace. Pricing valid for current Costco Members only. Entry into Service Agreement required to receive stated pricing. Delivery fee, bottle deposits, paper invoice fees, and late fees may apply.
How do I get bottled water from Costco?
Go to Costco.com and click “Services,” then “Bottled Water Delivery.” After entering your membership number and ZIP code, you can select your type of water—purified or spring (or artesian in some areas) and the number and size of bottles (3- or 5-gallon). Add a hot or cold water dispenser (optional). Select a delivery option.
Does Costco offer a water savings program?
All new accounts are subject to a price prearranged with the vendor. Certain products or services may be excluded from the program. Actual savings may vary based on water delivered and equipment leased and/or purchased. 1Pricing valid for current Costco members only. Entry into Service Agreement required to receive stated pricing.
How does Costco ® customer service work?
Our customer service is as refreshing as our water! Not only do Costco ® members enjoy special pricing, you also have a customer care team dedicated to your needs. Plus, we make ordering easy – you can call or order online. Once you place your initial order you can also use our MyWater+ app to manage your recurring order and delivery schedule.