A water cooler having a container with a reservoir for storing water has a thermoelectric module operable to cool a conductor plate and form ice in the reservoir. A temperature sensor connected to the plate senses the temperature of the plate and activates a timer when the temperature is below the temperature at which water freezes. The timer operates a selected period of time to allow a block of ice to be formed on the plate. A photoelectric sensor operable to sense a selected size of the block of ice functions to actuate a switching device that changes the polarity of the electric power supplied to the thermoelectric module to supply heat energy to the plate to release the block of ice from the plate. The released block of ice floats in the water in the reservoir and cools the water.