February 28, 2025
The demand for clean, safe drinking water in Kenya has been on the rise due to urbanization, health-conscious consumers, and unreliable tap water in many areas.
A water refilling business presents an excellent opportunity to address this need while building a sustainable and profitable venture.
With the right strategies, entrepreneurs can tap into a growing market and make a significant impact on their communities.
Four factors justify starting a water refilling business as a lucrative venture in Kenya:
Many Kenyans, particularly in urban areas, face challenges accessing safe drinking water.
Refilling stations provide an affordable alternative to bottled water, ensuring consistent demand.
Compared to other water-related businesses, a water refilling station requires less initial investment, especially for equipment and supplies.
Entrepreneurs can start small and scale as demand grows.
Water refilling businesses promote sustainability by encouraging reusable containers, which reduces plastic waste and aligns with global environmental goals.
Households, offices, schools, and restaurants frequently rely on refilled water for their daily needs, providing multiple avenues for consistent revenue.
Kenya’s water refilling sector offers lucrative opportunities in the following areas:
Urban centers such as Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu have growing populations, leading to higher demand for clean drinking water, especially in areas where tap water quality is inconsistent.
Institutions like schools, hospitals, and offices often require bulk water supplies, presenting a steady and reliable customer base for water refilling businesses.
Providing services such as home delivery, customized branding on bottles, or even purified ice can differentiate your business and attract more clients.
Kenyans are increasingly prioritizing health and wellness, and clean drinking water is an essential part of this lifestyle shift, ensuring a growing customer base.
Starting and running a water refilling business comes with challenges, including:
Water businesses must adhere to strict health and safety standards, including approval by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
Solution: Familiarize yourself with the required certifications and ensure all water quality testing and processes meet KEBS standards.
High-quality purification systems and regular maintenance are essential but costly.
Solution: Begin with basic yet efficient equipment and budget for regular servicing to avoid breakdowns.
Established businesses and informal vendors may offer lower prices, creating stiff competition.
Solution: Differentiate your services through better quality, delivery options, or value-added services.
Customers often prioritize water quality and reliability over price.
Solution: Build trust by maintaining transparent operations, offering consistent quality, and providing exceptional customer service.
Let’s delve into the required steps when starting a daycare business in Kenya:
Analyze the demand for refilled water in your target area, identify gaps in the market, and understand customer preferences.
Focus on pricing, competitors, and potential customer segments such as households or institutions.
The location of your refilling station significantly impacts its success.
Select a site with high foot traffic, accessibility, and proximity to your target customers, such as residential areas or commercial centers.
A well-structured plan should outline your business objectives, target market, pricing strategy, and financial projections.
This document is also vital for securing funding or investors.
Ensure your business operates legally by:
Purchase reliable purification systems to ensure water quality meets customer expectations. Key equipment includes:
Price your refilled water based on market research, ensuring it is affordable yet profitable.
10 liters of refilled water for Ksh 50–100.
Create awareness and attract customers through the following advertising avenues:
Advertise on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.
Distribute brochures in your neighborhood.
Collaborate with institutions for bulk supply contracts.
Offer discounts for first-time customers or bulk purchases.
Business practises that ensure the long-term success of a water refilling business include:
Ensure all equipment is well-maintained, and the water purification process consistently meets KEBS standards to build trust and retain customers.
Foster loyalty through excellent service, regular follow-ups, and personalized solutions like delivery services or customized bottle branding.
Use digital tools to track inventory, schedule deliveries, or communicate with customers effectively.
Reinvest profits to introduce additional services, such as selling purified ice or flavored water, to meet evolving market demands.
Promote the use of reusable containers and educate customers on the environmental benefits of refilling, which can also serve as a marketing advantage.
A breakdown of expected costs when starting a water refilling business is as shown below.
| Expense | Estimated Cost (Ksh) |
| Purification Equipment | 200,000–500,000 |
| Licenses and Permits | 10,000–20,000 |
| Rent | 10,000–30,000/month |
| Marketing | 5,000–15,000 |
| Bottles and Accessories | 10,000–20,000 |
An overview of projected revenue generated from a water refilling business is as shown:
| Metric | Projected Value |
| Daily Revenue | Ksh 2,000–10,000 |
| Monthly Revenue | Ksh 60,000–300,000 |
| Profit Margins | 30–50% |
Starting a water refilling business in Kenya is both profitable and impactful, meeting the essential need for clean drinking water.
With the right strategies, adherence to quality standards, and customer-centric services, you can build a thriving business that serves your community while generating consistent income.
At Surfstop, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into reality.
Contact us today for expert guidance on planning, registration, and scaling your water refilling business.
Together, let’s make clean water accessible to all Kenyans!