With a large family, a larger water dispenser rather than a pitcher might be useful. Since it is a slim design (narrow/long), it doesn't shift and only needs to be removed when filled.

that is pretty cool... we hadn't really thought of that. only challenge would be that at dinnertime we like the water pitcher to be at the table for easy refills. we also don't need to filter the water, as far as we know. i'm sure someone has a good reason why we (or probably everyone) should, but the water tastes fine where we live (pacific northwest).

I hated the water pitchers. The lids have a tendency to fall off when pouring.

wow... what a mess (especially if it's not water)! i guess we're lucky to have never had that happen, and we just have the cheapo plastic kind with the white top that you turn depending on whether you want the ice to plop out or not. maybe the tops are more likely to fall off when pouring if you turn it completely upside down... if the water's falling out the spout through the hole in the side of the lid, there's really no pressure on the lid. could also be that they're not so snug-fitting when they get older.

oh, wait... it did happen once, with a Brita one we had... 2yo (now 13) turned it upside down, i think. memory kinda... fuzzy... on that.

-n8 (feeling old all of a sudden)