Your Summer Springs delivery has arrived! A little care with storage and handling will help keep your 15L spring water bottles clean, organised and ready to use.
The main things to remember are simple: keep the bottles cool, keep them out of sunlight, store them away from chemicals and use your oldest bottles first.
Quick storage checklist
- Store bottles indoors wherever possible.
- Keep them in a cool, shaded and dry area.
- Store bottles upright on a stable surface or bottle rack.
- Keep them away from fuel, pesticides, cleaning chemicals and strong odours.
- Use the oldest bottles first (check the date on the neck of the bottle cap)
- Leave each bottle sealed until you are ready to place it on the cooler.
Store Your Bottles Indoors and Out of Sunlight
The best place for your spring water is inside a home, office, storeroom, staff room or other clean and shaded area.
Avoid leaving bottles in direct sunlight, beside a window or in another area that becomes hot during the day. Sunlight and heat can warm the water and affect its freshness and taste over time.
Do not routinely store your water bottles:
- In direct sunlight
- Inside a hot vehicle
- Beside heaters, ovens or hot machinery
- In an uninsulated shed that becomes very hot
- Where they are exposed to weather, dust or animals
If bottles must be kept outside temporarily, place them in a fully shaded, protected and clean area. Keep them off bare ground and make sure they are not exposed to excessive heat, dust, dirt or chemicals.
Keep Drinking Water Away From Chemicals and Strong Odours
Do not store spring water beside fuel, oils, pesticides, pool chemicals, paint, solvents or strong cleaning products.
This is particularly important in workshops, farm sheds, warehouses and garages, where drinking-water bottles can sometimes be placed beside products that should be stored separately.
Choose a dedicated area for drinking water that is clean, dry and away from:
- Petrol, diesel and other fuels
- Herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers
- Paint, thinners and solvents
- Pool and industrial chemicals
- Waste, dirty equipment and returned goods
- Products with strong smells
Store Bottles Upright and Securely
Keep full and empty 15L bottles upright. Place them on a level, stable surface where they cannot fall, roll or be knocked over.
Do not stack bottles unless you are using a storage system designed for 15L water bottles. Improvised stacking can make the bottles unstable and difficult to handle safely.
A bottle storage rack can help keep full and empty bottles organised while reducing the amount of floor space they occupy.
When lifting a bottle, use both hands and keep it close to your body. Avoid lifting or carrying a full bottle by its neck or cap.
Use the Oldest Bottles First
When a new delivery arrives, place the newer bottles behind your existing stock and use the older bottles first.
This is often called “first in, first out”, or FIFO. It is the simplest way to prevent older bottles from remaining unused at the back of the storage area.
A practical routine is:
- Check how many full bottles remain before your delivery arrives.
- Move those bottles to the front of the storage area.
- Place the newly delivered bottles behind them.
- Use the bottles at the front first.
If full bottles are regularly building up between deliveries, let our team know. We can reduce your standing quantity or review the frequency of your delivery.
Leave Bottles Sealed Until You Need Them
Do not remove or damage the bottle cap before you are ready to place the bottle onto the cooler.
Before loading a new bottle:
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Check that the bottle and cap are intact.
- Wipe dust or dirt from the outside of the cap and bottle neck with a clean cloth.
- Avoid touching the bottle opening or the part of the cap that enters the cooler.
- Place the bottle onto the cooler promptly after opening or piercing the seal.
Do not refill Summer Springs returnable bottles yourself. Empty bottles are collected, inspected, cleaned and sanitised through our bottle-return process before they are refilled.
Keep Empty Bottles Clean for Collection
Once a bottle is empty, store it upright in the same clean and protected area used for your full bottles.
Please do not place anything inside an empty bottle. This includes tap water, cleaning products, rubbish or other liquids.
Do not leave empty bottles outdoors where they can collect dust, rainwater, insects or debris. Keeping them clean and protected makes collection and bottle processing easier.
Keep the Water Cooler Clean
Correct bottle storage is only one part of maintaining a clean drinking-water setup. The cooler, taps and drip tray also need regular attention.
As a general routine:
- Wipe the taps and surrounding surfaces regularly.
- Empty and clean the drip tray before water is left sitting in it.
- Keep cups, personal bottles and food away from the dispensing nozzles.
- Do not allow hands, bottles or cups to touch the tap outlets.
- Follow the cleaning instructions provided for your cooler model.
Contact Summer Springs if you are unsure how your cooler should be cleaned or maintained.
Check Each Bottle Before Use
Before placing a bottle on the cooler, take a moment to check it.
Do not use the bottle if:
- The bottle is cracked, leaking or badly damaged.
- The cap or seal appears to have been opened or damaged.
- There is visible foreign material inside the bottle.
- The water has an unusual appearance, smell or taste.
Set the bottle aside and contact Summer Springs so our team can assist. Do not pour out or discard a returnable bottle unless we ask you to.
How Long Can a Bottle Be Stored?
There is no single storage period that applies in every situation. Bottle condition, seal integrity, temperature, sunlight and the cleanliness of the storage area can all affect quality.
The best approach is to:
- Keep bottles sealed until use.
- Store them correctly.
- Use your oldest bottles first.
- Order an amount that suits your normal delivery cycle.
- Contact us if unused bottles are regularly accumulating.
Your delivery quantity should be enough to keep you supplied between visits without creating an unnecessary stockpile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store 15L water bottles outside?
Indoor storage is best. If bottles need to be outside, it's best to keep them fully shaded, off the ground and protected from heat, weather, dust, chemicals and animals.
Can I store the bottles in a garage or shed?
Yes, but it is best if the area remains reasonably cool, clean and dry. Do not store drinking water in a hot shed or beside fuels, pesticides, paint, cleaning chemicals or other strong-smelling products.
Should full water bottles be stored upright?
Yes. Store full and empty bottles upright on a level and stable surface or use a purpose-built bottle rack if you need to store several bottles in a small area.
Should I wash or refill an empty returnable bottle?
No. Do not refill the bottle or place anything inside it. Store it upright and protected until your Summer Springs driver collects it. Returned bottles are cleaned, sanitised and inspected before being used again.
What should I do if a bottle looks damaged?
Do not place it on the cooler. Set it aside and contact Summer Springs, particularly if the bottle is cracked or leaking.
What if I have too many bottles left at each delivery?
Tell your driver or contact our customer service team. We can adjust your quantity or delivery frequency so you are not storing more water than you need. You can even leave a note for our driver with your empty bottles asking for less (or more) to be delivered.
Need Help?
If you have a question about storage, bottle handling, your delivery quantity or cooler care, contact the Summer Springs team before your next delivery.
Thank you for helping us keep your spring water and returnable bottles properly stored.
Happy Hydrating!
