A water dispensing apparatus includes: a filter; a hot water tank; a water discharge nozzle; a hot water pipe connecting the hot water tank to the water discharge nozzle; a hot water discharge valve; a drain pipe branched from the hot water pipe; a drain valve disposed at the drain pipe; a first temperature sensor disposed in the hot water tank and configured to detect a first temperature of the hot water tank or water in the hot water tank; a second temperature sensor disposed in the hot water discharge valve and configured to detect a second temperature of water that is in the hot water pipe or introduced into the hot water discharge valve; and a controller configured to control the hot water discharge valve and the drain valve based on temperature information including the first temperature and the second temperature.