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How Much Does It Cost to Start a Water Refilling Business in Kenya?
Herritech engineering team Updated 14 November 2026 4 min read
Pictured: the components of an H-TECH RO vending machine. Quick answer: The biggest cost in a water refilling business is the treatment and refill station. A starter setup built from our current prices (a 125 LPH 3-in-1 station, a 1,000-litre tank and a TDS meter) comes to about KSh 349,000 in equipment. Then add premises, licences and water testing, branding, bottles and a few months of running costs.
Key facts Equipment is the largest single cost Plan licences, water testing and branding before opening Keep 2–3 months of running costs as working capital Size the machine to real demand; upgrade later On this page Starter equipment (current prices) Other start-up costs to budget Other machine sizes How to keep costs down Frequently asked questions Starter equipment (current prices)
Item Price H-TECH 125 LPH 3-in-1 Borehole RO Water Vending Machine KSh 330,000 1000L Reliance Loft Tank – No More Water Shortages! KSh 12,500 TDS Handheld Meter KSh 6,500 Equipment subtotal KSh 349,000
Built from current listed prices (incl. VAT). Your quotation confirms delivery and installation.
Other start-up costs to budget
Cost What it covers
Premises Rent deposit, plumbing, electrical points, tiling, lighting Licences County business permit, public health inspection, KEBS if selling packaged water Water testing Raw and treated water tests at an accredited laboratory Branding Shop sign, machine branding, labels Bottles and caps 20 L and smaller bottles for sale or deposit Working capital Rent, power, filters and salaries for the first months
Other machine sizes
Model Size / capacity Price H-TECH 125 LPH 3-in-1 Borehole RO Water Vending Machine 125 LPH KSh 330,000 H-Tech RO Vending Station 125 LPH 125 LPH KSh 370,000 H-Tech RO Vending Station 125 LPH with Antiscalant 125 LPH KSh 420,000 H-Tech 3-in-1 Municipal UF 250L 250 L KSh 240,000 H-Tech RO Vending Station 250 LPH 250 LPH KSh 490,000 H-Tech RO Vending Station 250 LPH with Antiscalant 250 LPH KSh 540,000 H-Tech 3-in-1 Municipal UF 500L 500 L KSh 280,000 H-Tech 3-in-1 Borehole RO 500 LPH 500 LPH KSh 550,000 H-Tech RO Vending Station 500 LPH 500 LPH KSh 750,000 500 LPH RO VENDING MACHINE(semi automatic) 500 LPH KSh 770,000 500 LPH H-Tech RO Vending Machine (Full automatic) 500 LPH KSh 800,000 H-Tech RO Vending Station 500 LPH with Antiscalant 500 LPH KSh 800,000 H-Tech 3-in-1 Municipal UF 1000L 1,000 L KSh 320,000 1000 LPH H-Tech RO Vending Machine(full automated) 1,000 LPH KSh 900,000 H-Tech 3-in-1 Borehole RO 1000 LPH 1,000 LPH KSh 920,000 H-Tech RO Vending Station 1000 LPH 1,000 LPH KSh 950,000 H-Tech RO Vending Station 1000 LPH with Antiscalant 1,000 LPH KSh 1,030,000 H-Tech 2-Channel Water Refilling Station | Digital Water Vending Machine – KSh 110,000 HTECH WATER REFILLING STATION (MUNICIPAL WATER) – KSh 450,000
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 14 November 2026). Full range: Water vending machines price list .
Get a free, site-fit quotation for a water refilling business Tell us your location, capacity and budget. We confirm the model, delivery and installation in writing.
How to keep costs down
Start with the machine size your area needs today; add capacity later. Choose UF instead of RO if your municipal water is already low in TDS. Use storage tanks so a smaller plant can meet peak demand. Next steps: how to start a refill business and RO plant sizing .
Watch: Starting a water refill business Cost of starting a water refilling business in Kenya Video · 1:10 · Herritech Ventures on YouTube Water refilling station equipment set-up Video · 0:55 · Herritech Ventures on YouTube Built in our Ruiru workshop: see the water refilling station build journey, with real dated photos →
Frequently asked questions How much capital do I need for a water refilling business? Equipment for a starter setup from our current prices is about KSh 349,000; add premises, licences, testing, branding and working capital.
What is the cheapest way to start? A dispenser for already-purified water, or a UF station on low-TDS municipal water, costs less than a full borehole RO plant.
Do I need KEBS approval? For packaged (sealed) water, yes: KEBS certification. Refill shops must meet county public health requirements.
How long until the business pays back? It depends on daily litres sold, price per litre and costs; work it out from your own sales estimate.
Get a free, site-fit quotation for a water refilling business Tell us your location, capacity and budget. We confirm the model, delivery and installation in writing.
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