A:Answer No, using a water bottle and setting it at the top of the unit, like a small water cooler is not an option. The cover is where you pour water into the holding tank where the pump draws water from to make ice. I would recommend using filtered water so as to reduce the amount of deposits that may clog the tubing if you don't regularly clean the unit. There is a maximum fill line inside and adding too much water could damage the unit. Too little water in the tank will cause the unit to stop making ice cubes but shouldn't damage the unit as it will turn itself off. Once you add water again after getting the low water warning you would need to restart the unit.
