Elkay vs Blupura: Which Bottle Filling Station Is Right for Your Project?

Elkay vs Blupura is a closer comparison than most. Blupura is an Italian manufacturer whose City range covers public refill points indoors and out, while Elkay builds refill fixtures designed to be distributed through a building. The difference is deployment rather than quality, and it decides most specifications.

Elkay vs Blupura at a Glance

A quick comparison across construction, certification, installation and support. Both ranges are broad and specifications vary by model, so check the current datasheet before specifying a unit.

At a glance Elkay Blupura
Chilled filtered drinking water ✓ ✓
Touch-free sensor dispensing ✓ ✓
Stainless steel construction ✓ ✓
Wall-mounted and freestanding formats ✓ ✓
Vandal-resistant options for public sites ✓ ✓
Usage counter on the unit ✓ ✓
NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 certification published at model level ✓ ~
WRAS approval documented across the UK range ✓ ~
Certified microplastic and PFAS reduction options ✓ ~
Bottle-count display for sustainability reporting ✓ ~
Integrated bubbler and bottle filler combination ✓ ~
316 marine-grade stainless on outdoor units ✓ ~
Designed for in-wall recessed installation ✓ ✕
Mains-free mechanical model ✓ ✕
Retrofit kit to upgrade an existing fountain ✓ ✕
Single UK and EU distributor for supply, parts and servicing ✓ ✕
Sparkling and carbonated water ✕ ✓
Integrated payment and credit control ✕ ✓

Elkay

Supplied & Supported by WRG

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions, USA. Distributed, stocked and serviced throughout the UK and EU by Water Refill Group. Designed so that many refill points can be distributed economically through a building, with WRAS approval across the range and genuine spares held here in Britain.

  • Manufacturer: Zurn Elkay Water Solutions, USA
  • UK & EU supply: exclusive WRG distribution, stock held in Buckinghamshire & Tilburg
  • Filtration: WaterSentry Plus / VII, front-access quarter-turn cartridge, fitted as standard across the ezH2O range
  • Certification: NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 published at model level (model dependent)
  • WRAS approved across the UK range, with certification supplied for your specification pack
  • Activation: sensor-activated bottle filler with automatic 20-second shut-off
  • Monitoring: filter-life status lights, plus Green Ticker™ counting single-use plastic bottles saved
  • Parts & servicing: genuine Elkay parts and filters in UK stock, with Smart, Gold and Silver service plans
  • Deployment: sized and priced so several refill points can be distributed across a building
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Blupura

For Comparison

Blupura Srl is an Italian manufacturer of water dispensers and public refill fountains, certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, with a range spanning domestic, hospitality, office and public areas. Water Refill Group does not supply Blupura and includes the brand here so the comparison is a fair one.

  • Manufacturer: Blupura Srl, Italy, with a subsidiary operation in the USA
  • UK supply: through independent distributors rather than one national partner
  • Filtration: Blutron filter range, with UVC LED, ozone and nano-silver treatment offered as options
  • Certification: ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 at company level; request cartridge certification per model
  • WRAS: confirm approval status per model with the distributor supplying the unit
  • Activation: push button, touch free, inox touch or touch screen, depending on the model
  • Monitoring: digital litre counters as an option, with IoT connectivity on selected products
  • Parts & servicing: handled by whichever distributor supplied the equipment, so coverage varies
  • Deployment: high-capacity destination units, with the largest City models weighing over 250kg
Ask Us to Compare
Application Chilled filtered combi In-wall recessed Accessible cooler Slim surface-mount Mains-free mechanical Public kiosk Outdoor pedestal Outdoor wall-mounted Retrofit filler kit
Elkay model ezH2OLZO8WSS2KN ezH2O In-WallLZWSM82K ezH2O ADA CoolerLMABF8WSS2KN ezH2O Surface-MountEZWSSMJO ezH2O MechanicalEMASMB No direct equivalent Outdoor PedestalLK4400BFEVGWR Outdoor Single-ArmLK4405BFEVG ezH2O Retrofit Kit
Closest Blupura equivalent City Wall150 or 280 lt/h Not offered City IndoorCheck reach against Part M Wall familyOffice and hospitality Not offered City Indoor1057 x 850 x 1970mm City 1.0 or City 2.01530 x 2050 x 2190mm City Wall730 x 266 x 635mm Not offered
Chilled ✓ – ✓ ✓ – ✓ ✓ ✓ –
Sparkling ✓ – ✓ ~ – ✓ ✓ ✓ –
Touch-free ~ – ~ ~ – ~ ~ ~ –
Best suited to The default UK school and office refill point; Blupura adds sparkling and far higher output at a higher unit cost Flush fit-outs; needs a recess formed early in the programme Healthcare and quiet spaces; check approach and reach against Part M rather than either brand's own wording Tight-plan interiors and breakout areas Sites where an electrical first fix would be disruptive Transport hubs and civic buildings wanting one high-capacity destination point Parks and squares; Elkay uses 316 marine-grade stainless, Blupura offers payment and credit control Constrained external walls; comparable footprint, very different output and cost Upgrading a sound existing Elkay fountain
Elkay vs Blupura: Common Questions About Elkay

What specifiers ask when the shortlist has a capable Italian manufacturer on it alongside Elkay.

No. The ezH2O range dispenses chilled and ambient still water only, and Blupura's City range does still and sparkling from the same unit. If carbonation is in the brief, that is a real point against Elkay. We supply boiling and sparkling separately through our boiling and sparkling tap range, which suits a servery or kitchen point better than a corridor refill station in any case.
On hourly capacity, yes, by some distance. What matters more for most buildings is how fast one bottle fills and how many points you have. Twenty ezH2O units spread across a school will clear a break-time rush that a single high-capacity kiosk cannot, because the queue is the constraint rather than the chiller. Where demand genuinely concentrates at one location, such as a stadium concourse, the Blupura figure earns its keep.
Installation options that only make sense for a building. In-wall recessed units, a mains-free mechanical model for sites without a practical electrical supply, retrofit kits that add bottle filling to an existing fountain, and a bubbler and filler combination as a standard fixture. Add NSF/ANSI certification published at model level and WRAS documentation across the range, which is what a specification pack needs at Stage 4.
Both count, but they count different things. Elkay's Green Ticker displays single-use plastic bottles saved, which is the figure eco-committees and ESG reports ask for directly. Blupura offers digital litre counters, which measure volume dispensed and need converting before they mean anything to a reader. Neither is more accurate, but one needs less explaining.
We do. Water Refill Group is Elkay's exclusive UK and EU distributor, with stock in Buckinghamshire and Tilburg. One contact covers pricing, technical data, WRAS documentation, installation and aftercare, with genuine parts from UK stock and Smart, Gold or Silver plans for planned servicing. Blupura reaches the UK through independent distributors, so your aftercare depends on which one you buy from.
Elkay vs Blupura: Common Questions About Blupura

We don't supply Blupura, and we would rather answer these straight than pretend a strong European manufacturer isn't there.

No. We are Elkay's exclusive UK and EU distributor and supply the Elkay range only. Blupura is here because it is a genuine alternative and, in public-realm projects, a direct one. If you have been handed a Blupura schedule we can identify the nearest Elkay equivalent, and where the Blupura unit is the better fit we will say so.
When the project is one landmark refill point rather than many ordinary ones. Choose Blupura if you need sparkling water, if you want to charge for dispensing through an integrated coin box and credit control, if throughput above 150 litres an hour is a real requirement, or if you want UVC LED, ozone or nano-silver treatment as part of the specification. A municipality installing a fountain in a town square is squarely Blupura's territory.
More than most people expect. City 1.0 and City 2.0 measure 1530 x 2050 x 2190mm and weigh 204kg and 255kg respectively, and they need a prepared base with electricity, water and drainage before installation. City Wall is far more modest at 730 x 266 x 635mm and 20kg. Check the footprint against the actual location early, because a kiosk that suits a plaza will not suit a corridor.
Confirm it per model with the distributor supplying the unit. Approval is not published consistently at range level, and approval covering one component is not the same as approval covering the assembly as installed. Ask for the number against your exact model reference and get it into the specification pack early rather than resolving it on site. The same discipline applies to any brand, ours included.
Yes. Send the schedule, drawings or model references and we will return the nearest Elkay equivalent by function, the WRAS documentation and a costed comparison. Where the specification includes sparkling water or payment collection there is no straight swap, and we will tell you that rather than quote something that does not do the job.
What we compared Elkay WaterSentry Blupura Simple verdict
Typical filter WaterSentry 51300C Blutron filter range, selected to suit the installation. Confirm which cartridge is being fitted to your unit.
How the filter works Uses activated carbon and a prefilter to improve taste and reduce contaminants. Carbon filtration, with UVC LED, ozone or nano-silver treatment offered alongside. Different approaches: contaminant reduction against microbial control.
Published certification Certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and 53. The 51300C is also certified to NSF/ANSI 401. ISO 9001 and 14001 at company level; cartridge certification is not published per range. Elkay wins: certification arrives with the unit rather than after a request.
Lead reduction ✓ Certified to reduce lead Depends on the cartridge specified at order. Elkay wins: certified performance is a range standard.
Chlorine, taste and odour ✓ Improves taste and reduces chlorine odour ✓ Carbon filtration addresses taste and odour Draw: both improve how the water tastes.
Microplastic reduction Selected WaterSentry filters are specifically certified to reduce microplastics. Not listed on the published specification. Elkay wins: choose Elkay where microplastics are a stated priority.
PFAS reduction Dedicated Elkay filters are available for certified PFAS reduction. 71300C reduces PFOA and PFOS Not listed on the published specification. Elkay wins: fit the correct PFAS-rated cartridge.
Microbial control Not offered as an integrated feature on the ezH2O range. UVC LED, ozone and nano-silver pipe protection available across the range. Blupura wins: a wider toolkit where microbial risk is the concern.
Standard filter capacity 3,000 gallons Approximately 11,356 litres Varies with the cartridge specified. Elkay is more predictable: a known figure to budget against.
High-capacity filters Compatible options range from 6,000 gallons up to 10,000 gallons on selected systems. Determined by the filtration package chosen at order. Elkay wins: published options for high-traffic locations.
Changing the filter A quick quarter-turn connection makes the filter easy to remove and replace. Varies by model and by the housing the distributor installs. Check the install: access differs across Blupura configurations.
Filter status and monitoring Compatible stations show on the unit when the filter is working or needs replacing. IoT connectivity on selected products reports status remotely. Depends on scale: a light on the wall against a dashboard for an estate.
Can the filters be swapped? Elkay filters must be matched to a compatible Elkay station. Cartridges must be matched to the housing fitted to your unit. No: never cross-fit cartridges between the two.
Best choice for Projects needing documented contaminant reduction in the specification pack. Sites where microbial treatment or remote oversight is specified. It depends: on whether the risk you are managing is chemical or microbial.
Overall winner Certified, documented and consistent across every unit in the range. Broader hygiene technology, specified case by case. Elkay wins on documented filtration, while Blupura offers more microbial control options.

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Why Choose Us?

Exclusive UK Elkay Partner

We’re proud to be the exclusive authorised partner for Elkay bottle filling stations in the UK. That means direct access to genuine parts, faster support, and expert knowledge you won’t find anywhere else. When it comes to Elkay, we’re the people to trust.

Approved & Accredited Technicians

All of our engineers are fully vetted, trained, and approved to service Elkay and other leading hydration systems. You can count on consistent service quality, full compliance, and peace of mind with every visit.

Fast Response Times

When issues arise, we’re ready. With nationwide coverage and priority call-out availability, we’re structured to respond quickly and efficiently - helping you minimise disruption and keep your refill points flowing.
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Maintenance, Parts and Expected Downtime: Elkay vs Blupura

The maintenance question here is less about either brand's build quality and more about how many units you are running and what each one does. A modest refill point with a cartridge and a sensor asks very little. A high-capacity kiosk with carbonation, payment handling and a touch screen asks a good deal more, and concentrates the risk in one place.

What we compared Elkay Blupura What this means for you
Routine maintenance Regular cleaning, sanitisation, filter changes and safety checks are recommended. The same, plus carbonator and payment-system checks on applicable models. Blupura asks more: more functions mean more to check on each visit.
Filter replacement Uses a quick-disconnect cartridge with a quarter-turn connection and automatic water shut-off. Depends on the housing the supplying distributor installed. Elkay is consistent: the same procedure on every unit in the estate.
CO2 supply management Not applicable, as no carbonation system is fitted. Sparkling models need cylinder changes, safe storage and a named responsible person. Cost it upfront: an ongoing commitment rather than a one-off.
Payment system upkeep Not applicable. Coin boxes need emptying, reconciling and securing where fitted. Assign it early: revenue collection is a duty, not a feature.
Concentration of risk A fault takes one of several refill points offline. A fault on a single destination kiosk removes the provision entirely. Elkay degrades more gracefully: spreading points spreads the risk.
Filter-change alerts Compatible stations use coloured status lights to show when the filter is nearing the end of its life. Reported through IoT connectivity on selected products. Different audiences: a caretaker sees a light, a manager sees a dashboard.
Remote diagnostics Selected enhanced ezH2O models display system alerts on the unit itself. IoT Link reports status remotely across connected units. Blupura wins: genuine oversight without a site visit.
Replacement filters Water Refill Group holds genuine Elkay filters in UK stock for the models it supplies. Held by the supplying distributor, so availability depends on who you bought from. Elkay is more predictable: one stockholding rather than several.
Replacement parts Genuine Elkay parts are available through Water Refill Group's UK and EU supply network. Sourced through the distributor network, with lead times varying by region and model. Ask before ordering: confirm which parts your distributor physically holds.
UK servicing Installation, planned servicing, filter changes and repair support all through one provider. Coverage depends on the distributor who supplied and maintains the equipment. Elkay is more contained: supply, parts and labour sit in one place.
Warranty Selected refrigerated models include five-year refrigeration cover and 12-month cover for electrical and water-system components. Terms are set by the supplying distributor and should be confirmed in writing. Get it in the order: distributor-set terms vary more than manufacturer terms.
Planned maintenance downtime Filter changes and routine servicing complete within a planned maintenance visit. Longer on kiosk models, where carbonation and payment checks are added. Usually low for both: but budget more time per kiosk visit.
Refrigeration faults A compressor or sealed refrigeration fault needs a qualified engineer. The same, with larger ice bank systems taking longer to recover once restarted. Similar: cooling faults create the longest outages either way.
Best option for multiple sites Estates wanting one UK contact for equipment, filters, parts and planned servicing. Operators wanting remote visibility and willing to manage a distributor relationship for it. Match it to your team: single contact against dashboard oversight.
Overall verdict Simpler units, one supplier, and documentation that arrives with the equipment. More capability per unit and better remote oversight, with more to maintain and more riding on each point. Neither is universally better: specify Elkay to distribute many refill points through a building, and Blupura where one high-capacity public unit is the requirement.

How can you reduce bottle filling station downtime?

Whichever way the decision falls, downtime is driven by preparation rather than badge. Arrange planned servicing, keep the right cartridge and common wear parts on the shelf, and standardise models across an estate so your team is not juggling several filter types and service procedures.

Before ordering, ask which parts are physically held in the UK, whether engineers cover your postcode, what response time is committed to and what the warranty excludes. If the unit carbonates or takes payment, add a question about who is responsible for each.

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Need help with servicing or maintenance? Send us a message and one of our experts will get back to you shortly.

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