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Choosing Bottle Sizes for a Water Business in Kenya
Quick answer: Most Kenyan water businesses sell refills into 20-litre and smaller customer containers plus sealed bottles. Small sealed bottles (500 ml, 1 L) sell on the go and to events; 5–10 L to homes and offices; 20 L to homes, offices and institutions. Each size needs different equipment, and sealed packaged water needs KEBS certification.
Key facts
- Refills: 20 L and customer containers
- Sealed 500 ml–1 L for on-the-go sales
- 5–20 L for homes and offices
- Sealed packs need KEBS certification
Sizes and Customers
| Size | Main buyers | Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| 500 ml, 1 L sealed | Shops, events, travellers | Filler, capper/sealer, labeller, coder |
| 5 L, 10 L | Homes, small offices | Filler, induction or cap sealer, labels |
| 18.9–20 L refill or sealed | Homes, offices, schools | Bottle washer/rinser, 20 L filling line, caps |
| Customer's own container | Walk-in refill customers | Refill station or water ATM |
Start Simple
Many shops start with refills (lowest packaging cost), then add sealed 20 L and small bottles as orders grow.
Equipment
Manual Liquid & Paste Filling MachineKSh 95,000
Pneumatic liquid fillerKSh 350,000
Automatic Induction Sealing MachinesKSh 260,000
Manual Labelling MachineKSh 50,000
Manual Coding MachinesKSh 25,000
Semi Automatic Bottle Washing Machine and Glass Bottle Brushing MachineKSh 110,000
5 GALLON / 20 LITER MINERAL WATER FILLING MACHINEKSh 4,500,000| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Manual Liquid & Paste Filling Machine | KSh 95,000 |
| Pneumatic liquid filler | KSh 350,000 |
| Automatic Induction Sealing Machines | KSh 260,000 |
| Manual Labelling Machine | KSh 50,000 |
| Manual Coding Machines | KSh 25,000 |
| Semi Automatic Bottle Washing Machine and Glass Bottle Brushing Machine | KSh 110,000 |
| 5 GALLON / 20 LITER MINERAL WATER FILLING MACHINE | KSh 4,500,000 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 5 October 2026).
Approvals and Costs
Packaged water needs KEBS certification and proper labels: label requirements. Work out cost per bottle: cost per bottle calculator.
Watch: Starting a water refill business
Frequently asked questions
What bottle size sells most in a water business?
Refills into 20-litre containers are the core of most refill businesses; small sealed bottles add on-the-go sales.
Do I need KEBS to sell bottled water?
Yes, packaged water sold in shops needs KEBS certification.
What equipment do I need for 500 ml bottles?
A filler, cap sealer, labeller and coder.