How to Start a Drinking Water Delivery Business in Kenya
Quick answer: A water delivery business treats water on site (usually RO), fills clean 20-litre bottles and delivers to homes and offices on a schedule. You need a treatment and refill station (KSh 110,000 and up), a stock of bottles with a washing routine, public health approval, KEBS certification if you sell sealed bottled water, and a reliable delivery vehicle or riders.
Key facts
- Core: treatment plant + bottle washing + filling + delivery
- Offices, schools and estates give steady weekly orders
- Sealed bottled water needs KEBS certification
- Track bottles: deposits stop losses
On this page
1. Build the production side
A refill station with RO (or UF for low-TDS municipal water), UV, a bottle rinser and filling points is the heart of the business.
H-TECH 125 LPH 3-in-1 Borehole RO Water Vending MachineKSh 330,000
H-Tech RO Vending Station 125 LPHKSh 370,000
H-Tech RO Vending Station 125 LPH with AntiscalantKSh 420,000
H-Tech 3-in-1 Municipal UF 250LKSh 240,000
H-Tech RO Vending Station 250 LPHKSh 490,000
H-Tech RO Vending Station 250 LPH with AntiscalantKSh 540,000Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 20 October 2026). Full range: Water vending machines price list.
2. Bottles and washing
- Buy food-grade 20 L bottles and caps; charge a refundable deposit per bottle.
- Wash, rinse and sanitise every returned bottle before filling.
- Seal and label each bottle with the date.
3. Approvals
- County business permit and public health approval.
- KEBS certification for sealed, labelled bottled water. See the KEBS step-by-step guide.
4. Sales and delivery
- Target offices, schools, salons, clinics and estates for weekly orders.
- Plan routes by area and day; offer subscriptions.
- Take M-Pesa on delivery and keep a customer list for reminders.
Watch: Starting a water refill business
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to start a water delivery business?
A treatment and refill station, bottles with a washing routine, approvals, and delivery transport.
Do I need KEBS for 20 litre bottles?
Yes, sealed and labelled bottled water needs KEBS certification.
How do I stop losing bottles?
Charge a refundable deposit and record which customer has which bottles.
Which plant size should I start with?
Many start with 250–500 LPH plus storage; see the RO plant size guide.