How to Size a Water Refilling Machine: LPH and Storage
Quick answer: LPH (litres per hour) is how fast the machine purifies water; storage is how much treated water waits for customers. A shop selling 2,000 litres a day can run a 250 LPH machine for about 8 hours, but needs storage so morning and evening rushes do not empty it. Size from expected daily sales, then add margin.
Key facts
- LPH = purification speed
- Storage covers peak hours
- Daily litres ÷ running hours = minimum LPH
- Add margin for growth
The Two Numbers
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| LPH | Treated litres produced per hour |
| Storage | Treated water ready to dispense at once |
Worked Example (Illustration)
Expected sales 2,000 litres a day. A 250 LPH machine produces that in about 8 hours. If half the day's sales happen in the two evening hours (1,000 litres), the machine makes only 500 litres in those hours, so storage must hold the rest.
Choosing
- Estimate daily litres (count customers × average litres).
- Divide by the hours the machine can run: minimum LPH.
- Estimate the biggest rush and size storage to cover it.
- Choose the next size up for growth.
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 250 LPHKSh 490,000
H-Tech RO Vending Station 500 LPHKSh 750,000
H-Tech RO Vending Station 1000 LPHKSh 950,000| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| H-TECH 125 LPH 3-in-1 Borehole RO Water Vending Machine | KSh 330,000 |
| H-Tech RO Vending Station 125 LPH | KSh 370,000 |
| H-Tech RO Vending Station 250 LPH | KSh 490,000 |
| H-Tech RO Vending Station 500 LPH | KSh 750,000 |
| H-Tech RO Vending Station 1000 LPH | KSh 950,000 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 5 October 2026).
Calculators: RO plant size and water price per litre. More: RO vending plant sizes.
Watch: Starting a water refill business
Frequently asked questions
What does LPH mean on a water machine?
Litres per hour: how fast the machine purifies water.
What size refill machine do I need?
Daily litres divided by running hours gives the minimum LPH; add storage for rushes and a margin.
Why does a refill shop need storage?
Customers come in rushes; storage holds treated water ready so the machine is not outpaced.