How each one works
Delivery service: you choose a water type and a schedule; jugs or cases arrive and empties are collected or recycled. The FDA regulates bottled water and lists types such as spring water and purified water, which it describes as water treated by processes like distillation or reverse osmosis.
Home system: an under-sink reverse osmosis unit connects to your cold water line and feeds its own faucet. Living Water offers a multi-stage alkaline reverse osmosis system for homes, offices, apartments and gyms.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Bottled water delivery | Under-sink home system |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Sign up; often a dispenser | Installation under the kitchen sink |
| Supply | Limited to what is delivered | On demand from your tap |
| Storage | Space for full and empty jugs | Space in the sink cabinet |
| Lifting | Heavy jugs to carry and swap | None |
| Upkeep | Schedule deliveries, clean dispenser | Filter and membrane changes on schedule |
| Plastic | Ongoing bottles or jugs | Replacement cartridges only |
| Ongoing cost drivers | Price per delivery, dispenser rental, deposits, fees | Filters, membrane, and the water a reverse osmosis unit sends to drain |
| Moving | Cancel or transfer service | Ask about uninstalling and reinstalling |
When delivery makes sense
- You rent and cannot modify plumbing.
- You need water for a short period or a small office.
- You want hot and cold from a standalone dispenser in a room without plumbing.
When a home system makes sense: you go through several jugs a week, you are tired of lifting and storing them, or you want filtered water for cooking, coffee and ice as well as drinking.
Comparing the ongoing cost
The honest way to compare is with your own numbers: how many gallons you use a week, what your delivery bill includes, and what a system's filter schedule looks like. Our bottled water vs reverse osmosis cost calculator walks through it, and reverse osmosis operating costs explains what to ask. Jorge gives you an itemized quote after the free test.
Questions to ask
- How much water does my household really use each week?
- Is there a contract, dispenser rental or bottle deposit?
- For a home system, is it certified to NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis), and for which contaminants? Check the exact model's listing.
- How often are filters and the membrane changed, and who does it?
- Do I have room under the sink and a spot for a faucet?
Next step: a free in-home test
Jorge will test your tap water, explain the results in plain words, and tell you honestly whether an under-sink system fits your home. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974, or book your free test.
This page compares a category of service, not any specific company. Any brand names mentioned elsewhere are trademarks of their owners, and Living Waters is not affiliated with them.
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist