Event guide
How to get water to your event
Most organisers still solve drinking water with pallets of single-use bottles. There is a simpler way: bring the tap to the crowd and let people refill.
Event water solutions
Six choices, in the order you will meet them.
Join the Pipe has supplied water refill stations for trade shows such as Messe Frankfurt, IBTM and IMEX and for hundreds of other events. This guide walks through what you need to decide, from the water source to the signs on the day.
Short on time? Skip to the checklist and send us the six answers. You get a setup recommendation and a quote within one working day.
Step 1
Find out where the water comes from.
Ask the venue one question first: is there a mains water connection near the places where people gather?
Step 2
Choose bottled water or water refill stations.
Bottled water looks easy, but it has to be bought, stored, chilled, handed out and cleaned up afterwards.
Water refill stations for events turn that around. Water is on tap, guests fill a bottle or cup themselves, and there is far less waste left on the floor at the end of the day.
Refill stations also give you something bottled water cannot: a place where people stop, talk and see your brand.
Step 3
Put the water where people already are.
A water point only works if people pass it. Good places are:
- The entrance and registration area
- Outside the main hall or stage
- Next to catering and seating
- The finish line and aid stations of a sports event
Share your floor plan and expected visitor numbers with us and we recommend how many stations you need and where to place them.
Step 4
Decide what people fill.
A refill station needs something to refill. You can ask guests to bring their own bottle, or hand out a reusable bottle at the door.
A reusable bottle with your event logo works as a delegate gift and keeps being used long after the event. The bottles are made from sugarcane, are BPA-free and dishwasher safe, and can be printed from 100 pieces. They can also be delivered pre-filled.
Step 5
Rent the stations and plan delivery.
You do not need to buy equipment for a single event. These four units can be rented per day.
Hall Tap
€175 per day
Tap station with drip tray, for busy indoor or outdoor spots.
Bar Tap
€225 per day
Cabinet with backplate, for event bars, hospitality areas and entrances.
Mobile Tap
€225 per day
Fully standalone. Battery-powered, runs from a water barrel.
Water Bar
€250 per day
The centrepiece. Fully brandable with magnetic signing panels.
We deliver the taps to the venue. Most organisers set them up themselves. Cooling, sparkling water and filters can be added on request. Book as early as you can: rentals are reserved by date.
Rental rates are per day and exclude VAT, water, transport and installation. Travel and build days are charged separately and a deposit applies.
Full details are on the event water tap rental page.
Step 6
Make it visible. Or let a sponsor do it.
Tell visitors before they arrive that water is free and that they can refill on site. Mark the water points on the event map and in the app.
A branded Water Bar can also carry a sponsor. Offer one company the role of Hydration Partner: its logo on the bar and on the bottle in every hand, in every photo, and on its way home with the guests. For the event it is a source of sponsor revenue, for the sponsor a visible link to sustainability.
Checklist
What to send us.
Six answers are enough for a setup recommendation and a quote within one working day.
- Event dates, including build-up and breakdown days
- Venue and city
- Expected number of visitors
- Indoor, outdoor or both
- Whether a mains water connection is available
- Branding wishes for taps and bottles
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do you get drinking water to an outdoor event without a water connection?
With a standalone unit. The Mobile Tap is battery-powered and runs from a water barrel, so it needs no plumbing and can stand anywhere on site.
How many water stations does an event need?
That depends on visitor numbers, the layout and how long people stay. Send us your dates, venue and expected crowd and we recommend a setup with your quote.
Can we rent water refill stations for one day?
Yes. Hall Tap, Bar Tap, Mobile Tap and Water Bar are rented per day. Travel and build days are charged separately.
Can the taps and bottles carry our event branding?
Yes. The Water Bar is fully brandable with signing panels, and reusable bottles can be printed with your logo from 100 pieces.
Do you deliver outside the Netherlands?
Yes. Our event units are available for rental across Europe.
Water at your event, without the pallets.
Tell us the dates, the venue and the crowd you expect. We recommend the setup and send a quote within one working day.
