Drinking Fountain vs Water Bubbler: What's the Difference?

Ask for a bubbler in Sydney or Brisbane and people know exactly what you mean. Ask in other parts of the world and you'll get a blank look. So what is the difference between a water bubbler and a drinking fountain?

The short answer

In Australia, the terms mean much the same thing. A bubbler is the upward spout you drink from. A drinking fountain is the whole unit, which may have a bubbler, a glass filler, a bottle filler or a combination. Our water bubblers page shows every model with a drinking spout, and our drinking fountains page shows the full range, including bottle-filler-only stations.

Types of drinking fountains and bubblers

Bubbler only

The simplest option: a single drinking spout. The Waterworks RM33 Blizzard bubbler and the wall-mounted Aqua Cooler AC-WM4 are examples.

Bubbler and glass filler

A second tap lets people fill a cup or glass. Popular on worksites and in staff areas. See the Waterworks RM33GF and Aqua Cooler AC-WM5.

Bubbler and bottle filler

With so many people carrying drink bottles, a bottle filler is often the more practical outlet. The Aqua Cooler M11 and outdoor SU650 combine both.

Bottle filler stations

Dedicated, often hands-free bottle fillers and hydration stations, such as the Aqua Cooler Oasis range, suit gyms, campuses and hospitals.

Chilled or ambient?

Chilled fountains include a refrigeration unit, so they cost more and need a power point. Many sites choose chilled for hot Australian summers. The M11 chills up to 26 litres an hour and the RM33 Blizzard up to 30 litres an hour.

What to think about before you buy

• Location: indoor, sheltered outdoor or fully outdoor? Choose an outdoor drinking fountain for exposed sites.
• Users: how many people, and at what peak times (like school breaks)?
• Space: free-standing, or wall-mounted or recessed to keep corridors clear?
• Durability: vandal-resistant designs like the RM33 Blizzard suit schools, parks and mines.
• Services: most fountains need a water supply, a drain and, for chilled models, a power point.

Buying for a school? Compare models on our drinking fountains for schools page, request a tax invoice and pay by bank transfer, or call 1300 55 32 82 for advice.