Primo Water (2025 Guide): Delivery, Refill/Exchange, Quality & Dispensers

Primo Water is a bottled-water service known for home/office delivery, in-store exchange of 3–5 gal jugs, and self-serve refill stations. This page explains service types, water quality basics, bottle sizes/dispensers, typical fees (deposits, exchanges), and how to choose the most cost-effective option for you.

At a glance: If you want lowest cost per gallon, use refill stations. Prefer no lifting/doorstep convenience? choose home delivery. Need water now? Exchange kiosks swap your empty for a prefilled 5-gal. Water is typically purified (e.g., RO) with minerals added for taste—check your local label/spec sheet.

Primo Water delivery Primo exchange vs refill Primo 5-gallon bottle Primo dispenser RO water with minerals

What you’ll find on this page

Services Overview Home/office delivery, exchange kiosks, self-serve refill stations.

Water Quality & Process Purification (e.g., RO), mineral additions for taste, TDS/µS·cm basics.

Bottles & Dispensers 3–5 gal bottles, top-load vs bottom-load, countertop options, cleaning tips.

Pricing & Deposits Refill vs exchange vs delivery, bottle deposits, promo bundles (overview).

When to Choose Which Convenience vs cost, lifting/weight, storage space, usage per week.

Sustainability & Care Return/reuse cycle, sanitizing bottles/dispensers, storage best practices.

DIY & FAQs How exchanges work, priming dispensers, moving/relocation tips.

Note: Availability, pricing, purification steps, and bottle materials can vary by location and retailer. Always confirm details on your local bottle label, station signage, or account portal.

Services Overview

Primo offers three main ways to get water: home/office delivery, in-store exchanges of prefilled 3–5 gal bottles, and self-serve refills. Choose based on budget, convenience, and how much lifting you want to do.

Cheapest per gallon: Refill stations (bring your own Primo-compatible bottle).

Fastest same-day: Exchange kiosks (swap empty for prefilled).

Zero lifting/recurring: Scheduled home delivery with bottle pickup.

Primo deliveryPrimo exchangePrimo refill5-gallon bottle

Compare Service Types

Service	How It Works	Typical Cost Signals*	Pros	Considerations
Home/Office Delivery	Set a schedule; full bottles dropped at your door; empties picked up.	Per-bottle price + delivery fees/taxes; promos often for first month.	Convenient; no store trips; steady supply; rental/owned dispenser options.	Higher per-gallon cost than refill; delivery windows; bottle deposit policies.
Exchange (Prefilled)	Take your empty 3–5 gal Primo-compatible bottle to a retail kiosk; swap for a sealed, prefilled one.	Exchange price per bottle; usually mid-range per gallon.	Fast; consistent taste/quality; no waiting for fills.	Must have an empty to swap; carry/lift 35–45 lb bottles.
Refill Station (Self-Serve)	Bring a clean Primo-compatible bottle; fill at the station; pay per gallon.	Lowest per-gallon price; bring-your-own bottle.	Best value; flexible volumes (1–5 gal); eco-friendly re-use.	You do the lifting; station hours/availability; keep bottles sanitized.

*Pricing and fees vary by location, retailer, and plan. Check your local kiosk signage or account portal for current rates and bottle deposit rules.

How Exchanges Work

Bring a Primo-compatible empty (3–5 gal, with cap).
Pay the exchange price; get a sealed, prefilled bottle.
Inspect the cap seal and bottle date/lot; store upright, cool, out of sunlight.

How Refills Work

Sanitize your bottle (rinse, mild soap; air-dry; don’t touch the neck).
At the station, choose size; do not overfill; cap immediately.
Pay per gallon; label the fill date for rotation.

Simple Cost Estimator

Refill price per gallon Exchange price per 5 gal

Delivery price per 5 gal Gallons you use per month

Monthly estimate: —

Cleaning tip: Wash caps and necks; avoid touching the bottle mouth; wipe dispenser probes with food-safe sanitizer per the manual.

Water Quality & Process

Primo locations typically use multi-step purification (often reverse osmosis) and then add a small mineral blend for taste. Exact steps and targets can vary by plant and retailer—always check your local bottle label or refill-station placard.

Process (typical): Sediment & carbon pre-filters → RO → polishing (UV/ozone) → minerals added for taste.

Taste profile: Clean, low-TDS with light mineral notes (often calcium/magnesium or bicarbonate).

Spec tip: Look for TDS (mg/L) or conductivity (µS/cm) on spec sheets; many appliances simply require “low-TDS.”

RO purifiedminerals added for tasteTDS vs conductivityUV/ozone

Purification Steps (Typical Flow)

Step	What It Targets	What You’ll Notice
Sediment filtration	Sand, rust, particulates	Clearer water; protects later filters
Activated carbon	Chlorine/chloramine, taste & odor	Less “tap” odor; improved flavor
Reverse osmosis (RO)	Dissolved salts/minerals, many impurities	Low TDS; “clean” base water
Polish (UV/ozone)	Microbial control	Meets safety targets before bottling
Mineral add-back (taste)	Calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate (small amounts)	Smoother mouthfeel; not “flat” like plain RO

Reading a Label / Spec Sheet

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): 10–60 mg/L (example range)
Conductivity (@25°C): 20–90 µS/cm (example)
Disinfection: UV or ozone
Added minerals: Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium (for taste)

Appliance manuals may list a max TDS or max µS/cm. If your local label beats that number, you’re good.
Some bottles say “purified water with minerals added for taste” — this is normal and keeps flavor consistent.

Variation alert: Stations and bottling partners can differ by city. When specs matter (espresso, instruments), confirm numbers on your local label or email support for a current sheet.

Taste Profiles (What to Expect)

Neutral/Clean: Low minerality; crisp, light body.
Smooth/Soft: Slight calcium/magnesium add-back → rounder mouthfeel.
Consistent across sources: Add-back helps keep taste stable even as feed water changes.

Bottle Materials & Care

Common bottles: PET single-use (smaller sizes) and reusable polycarbonate/HDPE 3–5 gal.
Store bottles upright, cool, and out of direct sunlight; avoid trunk heat.
Rinse caps/necks; don’t touch the mouth of the bottle; sanitize dispenser probes per manual.

Good to Know

“Purified” usually means RO-based; “mineral added for taste” ≠ “high-mineral.” TDS stays low.
For ultra-low minerals (e.g., CPAP/steam irons), manufacturers often prefer distilled to avoid white dust/scale.
For coffee/tea, you may prefer a little alkalinity/hardness; see remineralization targets.

Allergens/additives: Taste minerals are typically simple salts (e.g., calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, potassium bicarbonate). Flavors/sweeteners are not typical for plain Primo water—check your label.

Bottles & Dispensers

Pick a bottle size you can lift safely and a dispenser style that fits your space. Primo-compatible 3–5 gal bottles work with top-load, bottom-load, and countertop units.

Best for no lifting: Bottom-load dispensers (bottle slides into base).

Best value/lowest cost: Top-load (classic) if lifting is OK.

Small spaces: Countertop units (use 3-gal or adapter bottles).

Primo 5-gallontop-load vs bottom-loadcountertop water coolerdispenser cleaning

Dispenser Types — Pros & Cons

Type	How It Works	Pros	Considerations	Good For
Top-Load (Hot/Cold/Room)	Bottle sits on top; gravity feeds reservoir.	Lower cost; simple; easy to see when empty.	Lifting 3–5 gal (~25–42 lb); visible bottle.	Budget households, garages, break rooms.
Bottom-Load (Hot/Cold/Room)	Bottle hides in base; pump moves water up.	No heavy lifting to shoulder height; clean look.	Higher price; pump & tubing need periodic cleaning.	Families, offices, anyone avoiding heavy lifts.
Countertop	Compact unit on counter; uses small bottle or direct line.	Saves floor space; lighter bottles.	Lower capacity; needs sturdy counter & outlet.	Apartments, dorms, pantries, small offices.
Non-electric Crock/Stand	Ceramic or plastic crock with spigot; room-temp only.	No power; simplest; good for events.	No chilling/heating; manual sanitizing essential.	Occasional use, outdoor/picnic setups.

Bottle Sizes & Weights

5 gal (~18.9 L) ≈ ~42 lb when full (water weight only).
3 gal (~11.4 L) ≈ ~25 lb when full.
Choose what you can lift comfortably; use bottom-load if lifting is difficult.

Compatibility: Use Primo-compatible caps/neck sizes. For countertop units, confirm clearance under cabinets and bottle height.

Quick Setup & Priming

Wash hands; wipe bottle neck/cap with a clean towel.
For top-load, remove cap, invert smoothly onto the probe; for bottom-load, slide bottle in and push tube fully onto the cap.
Open each faucet to purge air until water flows steady.
Plug in; set hot/cold switches ON; allow 30–60 minutes to reach temp.

Cleaning Schedule (Simple)

Monthly: Drain reservoirs; wipe probe/tubes; sanitize drip tray.
Quarterly: Full sanitize with a mild solution (e.g., food-safe sanitizer or diluted white vinegar); rinse thoroughly.
Filters/UV/Ozone (if equipped): Follow manual replacement intervals.

Full Sanitize — Steps

Unplug unit. Remove bottle; drain hot/cold tanks via taps into a bucket.
Mix sanitizer per label (or 1 tbsp unscented bleach in 1 gal water). Do not mix chemicals.
Fill reservoir with solution; let sit 5–10 minutes. Run a little through each tap.
Drain completely; flush with 2–3 tanks of clean water until no odor remains.
Wipe exterior, drip tray, and probe; reinstall bottle; re-prime; plug back in.

Safety: Hot water can scald. Use child-safety locks if available and keep the unit upright during moves.

Pricing & Bottle Deposits

Costs depend on service type (refill, exchange, delivery), bottle deposits, and local taxes/fees. Use the table and calculator to estimate your effective price per gallon.

Lowest ongoing cost: Refill stations (pay per gallon; bring your bottle).

Mid cost, fastest pickup: Exchange (swap empty for prefilled 5 gal; deposit usually already paid on your bottle).

Highest convenience: Delivery (recurring schedule; may include delivery fees/fuel surcharges).

Primo pricingbottle depositexchange vs refillcost per gallon

What You Pay For (By Service)

Service	Core Charge	Extras	When It Applies	Notes
Refill (Self-Serve)	Per-gallon price	None (bring bottle)	Every fill	Best per-gallon value; sanitize your bottle to keep taste fresh.
Exchange (Prefilled)	Exchange price per 5 gal	Deposit only when you first acquire a bottle (or if you need another)	Each swap (price); deposit at first bottle	Return empties to keep deposits tied to your bottles.
Home/Office Delivery	Per 5-gal bottle	Delivery fee / fuel surcharge; cooler rental (if applicable); deposits on bottles	Each delivery; deposits at first set of bottles	Convenience premium; watch for first-month promos/bundles.

About Deposits

A bottle deposit is a refundable hold for each reusable bottle. You usually pay it once per bottle; it’s returned when you permanently return the bottle in good condition.
If you lose/keep a bottle or move without returning it, you may forfeit the deposit.
Need more capacity? You can add bottles later—expect to pay an extra deposit for each additional bottle.

Heads-up: Prices and deposit amounts vary by retailer/city and can change. Check your local kiosk signage or online account for up-to-date numbers.

Effective Cost Calculator

Estimate your first-month and ongoing cost per gallon (5 gal = 18.9 L).

Refill price per gallon Exchange price per 5 gal

Delivery price per 5 gal Delivery fee per order

Bottle deposit (per bottle) Bottles you need initially

Gallons you use per month Orders per month (delivery)

Result: —

Tip: If you already own bottles, set Bottles you need initially to 0 so deposits aren’t counted in month 1.

When to Choose Which

Match the Primo service to your volume, budget, lifting limits, and storage space. Start with the quick matrix, then use the picker for a personalized nudge.

Use ≤ 10 gal/month & can lift? Refill is the best value.

Need same-day sealed bottles? Exchange is the fastest pickup.

Want hands-free & recurring? Delivery wins on convenience.

how much water per monthcan’t lift 5-galneed water today

Quick Decision Matrix

Scenario	Best Pick	Why	Watch Outs
1–2 people, 5–10 gal/month, near a kiosk	Refill	Lowest cost/gal; flexible amounts	Sanitize your bottle; kiosk hours
Family/office, 15–30 gal/month	Exchange or Delivery	Predictable supply; sealed bottles	Deposits; storage space for extras
Can’t lift heavy bottles / accessibility	Delivery + bottom-load	No hauling; bottle slides into base	Higher monthly cost vs refill
Need water today (moving/party)	Exchange	Immediate pickup; sealed 5-gal	Requires an empty bottle to swap
Budget-first / students	Refill	Cheapest; bring your own bottle	Do the filling & cleaning yourself
Irregular use / travel often	Exchange or single Refill	Buy when needed; no subscription	Track cap seals & “fill date”

Quality note: All three paths typically provide purified (often RO) water. Some labels add minerals “for taste.” For low-TDS devices (CPAP/irons), consider distilled if your manual requires it.

Service Picker

Tip Pair Refill with a top-load cooler for the lowest overall cost.
Tip Pair Delivery with a bottom-load cooler to avoid lifting.
Tip For events, do a one-time Exchange pickup for sealed bottles.

Availability: Not all areas have every option. Check local store maps for refill/exchange kiosks or your account portal for delivery coverage.

Sustainability & Care

Refill/exchange systems keep heavy bottles in a reuse loop. Get the most from each bottle—store correctly, sanitize regularly, and return empties on time.

Most eco-friendly path: Refill or Exchange with reusable 3–5 gal bottles (vs many single-use 16.9 oz).

Longest bottle life: Keep bottles cool, upright, out of sun; avoid trunk heat and harsh scrubbing.

Safe dispensing: Wipe probe/taps; sanitize cooler quarterly; cap bottles immediately after filling.

reusable bottlesreduce plasticsanitize dispenserproper storage

Reuse Loop: How It Works

Step	What You Do	Why It Helps
Refill/Exchange	Bring clean empties; refill or swap for sealed bottles.	One durable bottle replaces dozens of single-use bottles.
Store Right	Upright, cool, away from sunlight/chemicals; avoid hot car trunks.	Prevents taste issues, warp, and microbial growth.
Sanitize	Rinse & air-dry bottles; wipe dispenser probe/taps; quarterly deep-clean.	Keeps flavor clean and extends equipment life.
Return on Time	Hand back empties with caps; avoid damage.	Keeps the reuse pool healthy; protects your deposit.

Bottle & Cooler Care (Quick List)

Bottles: Rinse with warm water; mild soap if needed; air-dry cap-side down. Don’t scratch interiors with brushes.
Caps/Necks: Before mounting, wipe with a clean towel; avoid touching the mouth of the bottle.
Cooler: Monthly wipe-down; quarterly sanitize reservoirs/tubing (see steps in Bottles & Dispensers).
Rotation: Label the fill/exchange date; use older bottles first.

Materials: Reusable 3–5 gal bottles are typically polycarbonate or HDPE. Follow label guidance; never use harsh solvents or near fuel/chemicals.

Plastic & Trip Savings Estimator

Estimate plastic saved vs buying 16.9 oz singles, and trips avoided.

Gallons you drink per month Weight per 16.9 oz bottle (grams)

Bottle size you use (gal) Avg bottles carried per trip

Savings: —

End-of-Life & Recycling

Return damaged bottles to the retailer or delivery driver—don’t home-recycle them unless instructed.
Keep caps with the bottle for exchange programs; for one-way PET sizes, follow local recycling rules.
Cardboard cases and shrink wrap: check curbside guidance; many stores offer collection bins.

Pro move: Combine errands with refill/exchange runs to cut extra driving. Store two full bottles so you’re not making emergency trips.

DIY & FAQs

Quick how-tos for exchanges, priming dispensers, moving your account, and fixing common taste/flow issues.

Fastest same-day water: Exchange your empty for a sealed 5-gal at a kiosk.

Best taste & hygiene: Sanitize dispenser quarterly and cap bottles immediately after refill or swap.

how exchanges workprime a dispensermoving/relocationtaste issues

Quick How-Tos

A) Exchange a Bottle (Retail Kiosk)

Bring a clean, Primo-compatible empty (cap on).
Pay the exchange price; inspect the sealed cap and date/lot on the new bottle.
Transport upright; store cool and out of sunlight.

B) Prime a Dispenser (Top-Load or Bottom-Load)

Wipe bottle neck/cap. For top-load, invert onto the probe in one smooth motion. For bottom-load, push the suction tube fully onto the cap.
Open each faucet until water flows steadily (air purge).
Switch hot/cold to ON; wait 30–60 minutes for temp.

C) Move/Relocate Service

Empty and cap all bottles; keep your receipt/Deposit info.
Update address in your delivery account (or return bottles for deposit if canceling).
Transport bottles upright; avoid trunk heat. Re-sanitize the cooler after the move.

Safety: A 5-gal bottle weighs ~42 lb. Bend knees, keep back straight, or choose a bottom-load cooler.

FAQs

What kind of water is Primo—mineral, spring, or purified?

Typically purified water (often RO) with a small mineral add-back for taste. Check your local bottle/refill placard for exact wording and specs.

Do I pay a bottle deposit every time?

No—deposits are usually paid once per reusable bottle. You exchange that bottle going forward and get the deposit back when you permanently return it in good condition.

Water tastes “flat” or “plastic-y.” What should I do?

Chill fully; many taste issues fade cold.
Sanitize dispenser; replace any post-filters per manual.
Try a different bottle/lot; store away from sunlight/chemicals.
If you prefer more body, add a squeeze of citrus (for drinking only).

Slow flow or gurgling from the cooler?

Re-seat the bottle; purge air by opening each tap briefly.
For bottom-load, push the tube fully onto the cap; check for kinks.
Clean or replace the cooler’s internal filter (if equipped).

Are the big bottles BPA-free?

Primo-compatible bottles are commonly polycarbonate or HDPE. Many retailers offer BPA-free options; check the material mark on the bottle shoulder or the product page.

Can I use Primo water in coffee machines or kettles?

Yes. It’s low-TDS purified water with light minerals for taste, which helps reduce scale vs hard tap water. For espresso/precise brewing, follow your machine’s recommended TDS/alkalinity.

Which is cheaper: refill, exchange, or delivery?

Refill is usually lowest per gallon, exchange mid-range, and delivery the convenience premium. Use the calculators above to estimate your costs with local prices and any deposits/fees.

How often should I sanitize the dispenser?

Wipe taps/probe monthly and do a quarterly deep-clean (see steps in Bottles & Dispensers). Always rinse thoroughly.

Reminder: Availability, materials, and pricing differ by location. Always follow your cooler’s manual and your local bottle label/spec sheet.

Written by Jamie Parker

Bottled Water & Dispenser Specialist • U.S. Citizen • Denver, Colorado, USA

Primo delivery & exchange RO water quality 3–5 gallon dispensers Bottle deposits & care

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Last updated: 15 Sep 2025 • Location: United States

About the Author

Jamie Parker is a U.S.-based writer and product tester focused on large-format bottled water, RO systems, and 3–5 gallon dispensers. Jamie evaluates refill vs exchange vs delivery on real costs, lifting, and sanitation—translating labels and spec sheets (TDS / µS·cm) into simple choices.

Experience: 6+ years comparing water services and coolers for homes and small offices.
Method: Field checks at kiosks, bottle labeling reviews, and timed setup/cleaning tests on top/bottom-load units.
Editorial policy: No paid placements; any samples are disclosed. Guidance is informational, not medical.

Transparency: Availability, pricing, and bottle materials vary by location. Always confirm details on your local label, kiosk signage, or account portal.

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