| Generally speaking, the Federal Government does | | | | volume discounts and flexible delivery dates as |
| not purchase pure bottled drinking water for | | | | well as responsive customer service based upon |
| Federal employees unless it can be proved that | | | | the latest technology and trained staff. |
| agency drinking water is unsuitable for drinking. | | | | In addition the quality of the drinking water is |
| Proof of water quality however, is a long and | | | | important. Some bottled water companies merely |
| time consuming process and many agency | | | | repackage tap water while other bottled water |
| employees are forced to drink low quality, bad | | | | companies use water from springs or artesian |
| tasting tap or well water in the Washington D.C. | | | | wells that may contain contamination, harmful |
| metropolitan area.. | | | | minerals or bacteria. |
| Nevertheless, many Federal agency employees | | | | What to Look For In a Bottled Water Supplier. |
| now purchase pure drinking water by forming | | | | If you are forming a water club in the Washington |
| water clubs. Water clubs are formed from | | | | D.C. metropolitan area it is wise to conduct some |
| individual employees with shared interests of | | | | due diligence before you choose a water supplier. |
| maintaining good health and drinking pure water as | | | | What to look for: |
| a start. The club that is formed agrees to | | | | - A supplier with the highest quality water. Distilled |
| purchase bottled water delivery and usually | | | | oxygenated water is considered by many experts |
| agrees to rent or buy one or more water coolers | | | | to be the purest water. |
| for club use on the agency premises. | | | | - A supplier with flexible programs that address |
| The club gains purchasing power based on the | | | | the needs of water clubs including:o Volume pricing |
| strength of it membership and the members gain | | | | agreementso No cancellation chargeso Quality |
| the advantage of pure drinking water for office | | | | bottles with no spill caps and handles for easy |
| and event consumption. Office consumption | | | | useo Flexible and changeable delivery scheduleso |
| usually takes the form of regular delivery of 5 | | | | Flexible billing procedures |
| gallon bottles for water cooler use and 20 oz and | | | | - A supplier with trained customer service |
| 12 oz. small package PET bottles for events or | | | | personnel and a culture of customer service. |
| other club occasions. | | | | Water clubs are becoming more common for |
| Some Bottled Water Companies Offer Specific | | | | Federal Government employees as a way to |
| Programs Tailored To Water Clubs. | | | | avoid the low quality tap water found in the |
| In Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. | | | | Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and it is |
| metro area at least one purified bottled water | | | | important to choose a quality supplier that will |
| company offers programs tailored to water clubs | | | | meet the needs of the water club. |
| in the Federal Government. These program offer | | | | |