Tips for Starting a Water Bottling Business in Kenya

Introduction: The bottled water business in Kenya presents a promising entrepreneurial opportunity, with the potential for substantial profits. As the demand for clean and safe drinking water continues to rise, the bottled water market in Kenya is expanding, offering numerous openings for new businesses. This article discusses tips for starting a water bottling business in Kenya.

Why venture into water bottling business in Kenya?

Profit-Making Opportunities: The water bottling industry in Kenya offers promising profit-making opportunities, particularly if you tap into the water vending market. Many established businesses and individual consumers invest in water vending services, making it a lucrative avenue for revenue generation. A well-planned entry into this market can result in rapid breakeven and sustained profitability.

Steps for Starting a Water Bottling Business in Kenya:

Venturing into this industry requires a comprehensive understanding of its intricacies. It’s not as straightforward as it may seem at first glance, as it entails factors such as equipment costs, water treatment, and regulatory compliance. Below are the steps to follow when starting a water bottling business in Kenya.

1. Careful Planning and Regulatory Compliance: Starting a water bottling business in Kenya demands meticulous planning and strict adherence to regulatory requirements. Before embarking on this journey, it’s imperative to thoroughly research and understand the legal and environmental obligations associated with the water bottling business. Compliance with ecological and safety standards is not only ethical but also crucial for long-term success.
2. Packaging Drinking Water: The core of a water bottling business revolves around packaging drinking water into plastic or glass bottles. The scale of your operation can vary, with both small and large-scale enterprises being viable options. It’s essential to determine the scope of your business early on to make informed decisions regarding equipment and operational logistics.
3. Licensing and Permits: Navigating the regulatory landscape is a fundamental step in establishing a water bottling business. To operate legally, you will need to secure various licenses and permits. These may include:

• KEBS (Kenya Bureau of Standards): Permit to use the standardization mark, ensuring product quality and consumer trust.
• City Council: Official business permit from the respective local government authority.
• Public Health Department: Certification of compliance with health standards for water bottling.
• WARMA (Water Resource Management Authority): Abstraction permit if your business doesn’t use tap water.
• NEMA (National Environmental Management Authority): Environmental impact compliance for certain establishments.
• Kenya Revenue Authority: Fulfilling tax obligations, including VAT (Value Added Tax), Excise Tax, Corporation Tax, or Turnover Tax.

4. Business Plan: Developing a comprehensive business plan is essential for the success of your water bottling venture. This plan serves as the blueprint for your operations, outlining your projected revenues and expenses. It is crucial to be conservative and realistic in your revenue assumptions, ensuring that your business is financially viable. By carefully analyzing your cash flows, you can answer the vital question: “Is water bottling a profitable business?”
5. Choosing the Ideal Location: The location of your water bottling business is a pivotal factor in determining its success. Understanding your target clientele is essential – whether they prefer faceless online interactions or walk-in purchases. If physical location matters to your customers, conduct market research to identify the most suitable areas with high foot traffic.
6. Acquiring Water Treatment Equipment: Investing in high-quality water treatment equipment is a substantial part of your startup expenses and a cornerstone of building a strong reputation in the market. Familiarize yourself with various water treatment technologies, such as physical filtration, ultraviolet radiation, and reverse osmosis membrane filtration. Choose the most appropriate method based on your budget and desired water quality. We however recommend that you go with a reverse osmosis water purifier or a general purpose water purifier. Check out our range of water purifiers here.

Tips for starting a water bottling business in Kenya – Conclusion

Commencing a water bottling business in Kenya can be a lucrative endeavor, but it requires careful planning, compliance with regulations, and strategic decision-making. Success in this industry hinges on your ability to develop a sound business plan, select an ideal location, implement an effective water treatment system, and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of not only entering the market successfully but also thriving in the burgeoning bottled water industry in Kenya.

Where to buy high-quality water purifying machines in Kenya

Now that we have learned the above tips for starting a water bottling business in Kenya and also that it can be a lucrative business, you might be wondering where you can buy high-quality water purifying machines in Kenya.

Gditech is a leading manufacturer of different types of water purifying machines. Our range of products includes reverse osmosis water purifiers, municipal council water purifiers, commercial water purifiers, school reverse osmosis water purifiers, general purpose water purifiers, etc.

Buy water vending and water refilling station machines from us

We have also seen that apart from bottled water, you can tap into water vending/refilling business for refill customers. You therefore need high-quality water refilling machines and other water station machines. That is where we come in because at Gditech, we make all types of high-quality water station and water refilling machines at very good prices.

Contact us for all your water purifiers, water vending and water station machine needs

If you need any of these equipment you can reach us via:

• Phone Call: +254 715 01 45 10
• WhatsApp: +254 715 01 45 10
• Email: gditech2019@gmail.com, info@gditech.co.ke
• Fill out our Contact Us Form.
• Leaving your comment below:

Visit Our Branches

For those who prefer a face-to-face interaction, we welcome you to visit our branches located strategically in Kenya:

• Ruiru Branch: Find us behind the Shell petrol station in Kihunguro, where our dedicated team is ready to assist you.
• Eldoret Branch: Visit our Eldoret branch us at Rehema Complex, opposite Japara Ltd., along Oloo Street in Eldoret. Our branch staff will provide you with personalized guidance and support.

We look forward to serving you.