Exhibit A

            Glacier Water Announces Agreement With Water Island Inc.

     VISTA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 2003--Glacier Water Services Inc.
(AMEX:HOO) announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire Water
Island Inc. for approximately $5,900,000 plus the assumption of certain
liabilities. The acquisition, which is subject to the approval of Water Island's
shareholders and other customary conditions, is expected to close early in the
fourth quarter.
     Glacier Water is the leader in the water-vending industry providing high
quality, low-priced drinking water dispensed to consumers through self-service
vending machines located at supermarkets and other retail locations. Water
Island, a privately held corporation with headquarters in Indianapolis and
revenues of approximately $10,000,000, operates over 1,300 water vending
machines in 10 states concentrated mainly in the Midwest. The acquisition will
expand Glacier's network to over 15,000 machines located in 37 states throughout
the United States.
     Brian McInerney, chief executive officer of Glacier Water, said, "We are
very excited to announce the combination of Water Island and Glacier Water.
Water Island has been an excellent competitor in the Midwest for many years. Our
two companies are complementary, sharing geographic markets, customers and
consumers. The acquisition of Water Island also further expands Glacier's
geographic reach and will deliver operational benefits in one of the fastest
growing bottled water markets in the Country. In addition, the acquisition
should accelerate Glacier's return to profitability."

     Statements in this announcement that are not purely historical are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements with respect to
the financial condition and results of operations of the company which involve
risks and uncertainties which are detailed further in the filings of the company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the
company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 29, 2002.

     CONTACT: Glacier Water Services Inc., Vista
              W. David Walters, 760-560-1111