Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink water and replace lost fluids, by the time you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated

Canada's Guide to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity suggests one should always satisfy your thirst. Choose water often and be sure to drink more in hot weather or when you are very active.

For more Information, please visit these sites:

Federal Government
CFIA - Canadian Food Inspection Agency website information

Provincial Government
Ministry of Environment website information

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

“What time will the route salesperson be delivering my water?”
With normal route delivery, water will be delivered to you on the same day every two weeks or every four weeks. The driver should arrive at your location at approximately the same time except where weather, equipment breakdown or route re-organization become factors. However, unless you are notified to the contrary, your delivery day and approximate time will remain the same. With this in mind, empties should be accessible for pick-up between the hours of 7:30am and 4:30pm except where alternative arrangements are in place.

“How do I put the bottle on the cooler without spilling water everywhere?”
All bottles are delivered with “No Spill Caps” that reduce the flow of water as you place the bottle on the cooler. Peel the sticker off the cap, wipe the top of the bottle to remove any dust.
If your cooler is equipped with a Waterguard system lift the bottle to the reservoir, line up the centre of the cap with the Waterguard stem and place the bottle on the cooler.
If you do not have a Waterguard system you may poke the small circular centre portion of the cap into the bottle or remove the entire cap. Then simply rest the neck of the bottle against the top of the cooler’s reservoir and slowly turn the bottle over placing the bottle on the cooler.

“How often should I change the bottles on the cooler?” The ideal time to change the bottle is when you see the water level is at the base of the bottle neck. This indicates that the bottle is empty but there is still water in the cooler reservoir. Changing the bottle at this time prevents the cooler reservoir from draining completely, resulting in reduced calcium build up.

“What is the proper way to store bottled water?”
Bottled water should be stored at room temperature. Containers must not be left in direct sunlight and should be kept away from chemicals such as household cleaning products and solvents such as gasoline, paint thinners and other toxic chemicals. Apply common sense as you would when storing any food products.

“Should I treat my bottles any differently in cold weather?”
YES! As the weather turns chilly it is important to move your bottles into a warm area. As water freezes it will expand causing the bottles to warp and split. Bottle deposits are not refunded for damaged bottles due to freezing. Additionally, freezing will cause the calcium to precipitate, falling out of solution and appearing as white flakes in the water. Despite the significant size of Flamboro Springs’ bottles, if left outside during the cold months the spring water will freeze.

“Why are the white particles dispensing from my water cooler?”
Spring water is a natural water rich in minerals. Over time, calcium will accumulate in the reservoir much the same as a tea kettle. Although calcium is not the most attractive thing to see floating in the water it is important to remember that it is just a mineral, it is not harmful in any way, and is, in fact, essential to good health. When you notice calcium in your glass of water it is an indication that it is time to schedule a cooler cleaning.

“How do I clean the cooler?”
You can contact any of our staff to arrange for a cooler cleaning (nominal fee applied) and without any interruption of service Flamboro Springs will provide you with a cooler on loan while we thoroughly clean your cooler at our bottling facility. Cooler cleanings are recommended every 6 months.
Alternatively, you can follow the steps listed below to clean your stainless steel cooler reservoir yourself whenever you notice a build up of calcium.

How to clean the cooler reservoir:
1. Unplug the cooler from the electrical outlet.
2. Remove the empty bottle.
3. Drain off any water left in the reservoir.
4. Let cooler stand for a few minutes to allow any ice in the reservoir to melt. To speed up process add hot water from tap.
5. Fill stainless steel reservoir ¾ full of fresh, clean, hot tap water and add 1 cup of vinegar.
6. Allow water to stand for 15 to 30 minutes.
7. Drain water and vinegar solution out tank through cooler taps.
8. Flush thoroughly with clean, hot tap water.
9. If a taste problem develops, place 1 tablespoon of baking soda into reservoir and add fresh water, allow solution to stand for 5 minutes. Drain water and baking soda solution and flush with fresh water.

How to remove stubborn mineral deposits:
Using a solution of vinegar and water (as described above) scrub reservoir with a sponge or cloth. Do not use a steel wool pad to clean the stainless steel reservoir (will leave small metal filings in the stainless steel reservoir and will start to rust)
Note: Maintaining reservoir water levels will greatly reduce the cleaning frequency. i.e. do not allow the cooler to run dry.

Cleaning plastic parts:
Periodic cleaning of the drip tray, anti-splash grid and top is required. To clean, use liquid soap and warm water. Avoid using abrasive cleaners. Customers are advised that the drip tray should not be used as a container to dump old coffee or other unwanted beverages. Do not use Fantastic cleaner on plastic parts as they can become brittle by this chemical.

Cleaning of exterior cabinet:
The cooler exterior can be cleaned with liquid soap and warm water. Make sure washed parts are rinsed properly and all soap residue is removed. Do not use abrasive, scouring cleaners which can scratch surfaces.

“Why is my cooler leaking?”
Unless physically damaged by external force, coolers generally do not begin to leak. Other than improper tap closing due to a particle of calcium becoming lodged in the tap or a tightening down of the tap’s “screw on button”, preventing the tap from sealing completely, coolers are very reliable. Most of the time what is thought to be a leaky cooler is, in fact, a “leaker bottle”. A small, almost invisible crack develops in the bottle which, when opened and placed on the cooler allows air to enter the bottle and forces the water out of the bottle and over the sides of the cooler reservoir. When the bottle is removed if water remains in the reservoir itself and does not drain away then you will know the cause is the bottle and not the cooler.

“What is the cost of operating a water cooler?”
A water cooler uses very little power. When the cooler is in operation it requires no more power than a 60 watt light bulb. The cooler is designed to chill 4.5 litres of water per hour down to a temperature of 50°F. To maximize cooler efficiency the cooler should be placed at least 2 inches away from the wall and away from any heat vents. Also, the back cooling grill should be cleaned and kept free of dust.

“Why can I not return full bottles once they have been delivered?”
In order to ensure our stringent quality control standards are not compromised, Flamboro Springs will not reintroduce full containers into inventory. Once it leaves our possession Flamboro Springs cannot guarantee the integrity of the product. Containers returned full are drained completely as a matter of practice, protecting our customers from receiving any product that has been delivered elsewhere prior to their receipt. If you begin to accumulate full bottles, or plan on vacationing, telephone the office and we will “skip” your next scheduled delivery.