How to Start a Water Refilling Business in Kenya (2026 Guide): Licences, Machines & Profit

Starting a water refilling business in Kenya means selling clean drinking water by the litre from a refilling station or water ATM. Demand is steady in estates, towns, schools and trading centres, and the business can start small. This guide covers the licences you need, how to choose the right machine for your water source, what to budget for and a worked profit example, using H-TECH machines available on Buy More Mall.

Step 1: Choose Your Location and Check Your Water Source

Pick a spot with steady foot traffic, such as an estate entrance, a market or a busy road, with reliable power and a secure room. Then identify where your water will come from, because this decides which machine you need:

• Municipal (tap) water: needs filtering and disinfection, for example with a 3-in-1 UF refilling station.
• Borehole or salty water: usually needs reverse osmosis (RO). Read our Borehole Water Treatment guide.
• Water that is already treated: can be sold from a tank-type water ATM.

Before you buy a machine, have a sample of your raw water tested at a government-approved laboratory so the treatment matches your water.

Step 2: Licences and Permits for a Water Refill Business

1. Business registration: register a business name or company and get a KRA PIN.
2. County single business permit: issued by your county government. Fees vary by county and by the size of the business.
3. Public health certificate: the county public health office inspects the premises. Every staff member needs a medical (food handler's) certificate.
4. Water quality analysis: treated water must meet Kenya's drinking-water standards. Test it at KEBS or another approved laboratory, and keep the results.
5. Water abstraction permit: if your water comes from a borehole, you need a permit from the Water Resources Authority (WRA).
6. KEBS Standardization Mark: needed if you package water (sealed bottles or sachets), not just refill customers' containers.
7. Weights and Measures verification: instruments that measure what you sell must be verified and stamped under the Weights and Measures Act.

Premises are typically expected to have washable (tiled) walls and floors, a hand-washing point with soap, screened windows, protective clothing for staff and clean, covered storage tanks. Budget roughly KSh 50,000 to KSh 170,000 for licences and certification, depending on your county and whether you package water.

Step 3: Choose the Right Water Refilling Machine

Popular H-TECH water refilling machines on Buy More Mall. Tap a photo for details.

Compare every model and price in our Water Vending Machine Price Guide, or browse Water Vending Machines and 3-in-1 Refilling Stations.

Sizing tip: an RO machine rated at 125 litres per hour (LPH) can produce about 1,000 litres in 8 hours of running, and a 250 LPH machine about 2,000 litres. Choose a capacity above your expected daily sales.

Step 4: What to Budget For

• The machine (from KSh 110,000 on Buy More Mall)
• Licences, water testing and permits (see Step 2)
• Rent, deposit and fitting out the premises (tiling, sink, lighting)
• Running costs: water bills, electricity, filter and membrane replacement, staff and regular water tests
• Marketing: signage and branded containers

Step 5: Pricing and a Worked Profit Example

In many Kenyan estates, refill stations currently charge around KSh 5 to KSh 10 per litre, so a 20-litre refill sells for about KSh 100 to KSh 200 depending on the area. Check what nearby stations charge before setting your price.

Step 6: Keep Customers Coming Back

• Display your latest water test results and licences where customers can see them.
• Keep the station spotless and rinse every container. Machines with a bottle rinser make this easy.
• Replace filters and membranes on schedule. Spares are available in RO Membranes & Housings.
• Offer home and office delivery of 20-litre bottles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start a water refilling business in Kenya?

Machines on Buy More Mall start at KSh 110,000 for a 2-channel refilling station, and RO machines for borehole water start at KSh 330,000. Add roughly KSh 50,000 to KSh 170,000 for licences and certification, plus rent and fit-out.

Do I need a KEBS permit to refill water?

You need your water tested to show it meets drinking-water standards. The KEBS Standardization Mark is required if you package water in sealed bottles or sachets.

Which machine do I need for borehole water?

Borehole and salty water normally need reverse osmosis. The H-TECH 125 LPH 3-in-1 Borehole RO Water Vending Machine is designed for borehole and salty-water projects.

How much do refill stations charge per litre?

Commonly KSh 5 to KSh 10 per litre in 2026, depending on the area.

Licence fees, requirements and market prices change. The figures here were checked in September 2026. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and your county government before investing.

Prices shown are regular prices on Buy More Mall. Many products are currently on offer, so open the product page to see today's price.

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• RO vs UF vs Water Softener
• Semi vs Fully Automatic RO Vending Machine
• Municipal UF vs Borehole RO Refilling Station
• RO System Maintenance Guide
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