How To Start Bottled Water Or Pure Water Business In Nigeria

In recent times, due to the unavailability of clean drinkable water in some areas in Nigeria, venturing into bottled water or pure water business make business sense.

Water is one of the highest consumables in demand worldwide, and its importance is beyond human imagination.

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Pure water or bottled water is in high demand in homes, schools, institutions, offices, churches, hospitals, public gatherings, etc. As long as you can find humans there, water is needed. So, if you can meet the demand for clean and affordable drinking water, this business idea is for you.

This is a business area that is profitable and sells everywhere in Nigeria. Therefore, this article will guide you if you are looking to venture into the bottled water or pure water business.

Pure Water Business In Nigeria

The pure water business has become one of the common areas of investment because everyone drinks water. Aside from quenching thirst, it is affordable. Also, water is essential to life and important to the body. It moisturizes the tissue and other vital body systems such as blood, bones, brain, spinal cord, joints, e.t.c.

In addition, water aids human digestion and helps in the metabolic reactions of food breakdown, flushes body toxins, removes waste, and regulate body temperature. Water is life.

Bottled water or pure water business is portably packaging water in a bottle or sachet for human consumption. It is done through the process of water purification and portable packaging. The process includes different steps like setting up a factory and investing in purification equipment.

If you are still confused about where to invest your money, you can never go wrong with bottled water or pure water business if you do your due diligence.

Moving forward, I will take you on the steps to successfully set up and run bottled water or pure water business in Nigeria.

If you prefer to learn through video, watch the full video of how to start the pure water business here. Also, subscribe to our channel for more business ideas and insights.

Steps To Running A Pure Water Business In Nigeria

There are different processes involved in starting any business in Nigeria.

Business Plan And Feasibility Study

When starting a business, the first thing you do is have a clear plan and create a road map on how best to go. This is what a business plan does for you. A business plan is a binding document to have at the initial stage of your business.

Preparing a business plan will help you gather information, gain insights, and push you to conduct a feasibility study. The results of your research will form the foundation of your business and help you make informed decisions.

Also, a business plan states the aims and objectives of the business and strategies of how they can be achieved. It involves market research and analysis, cost analysis, pricing structure, risk analysis, and future forecast. Doing all of these will be easy to source funding from investors. As your business grows, you can tweak your plan because the business plan is a breathing document that can be modified.

Business Registration

Next is registering your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Here, you can do a business name registration, limited liability company, or any other type of registration that suits your business structure. Aside, you will need to register with other government regulators like NAFDAC and relevant authorities.

However, I understand that creating a business plan and doing a business registration in Nigeria could be an arduous task, which is why companies like ReDahlia can be your plug. ReDahlia will help you with your business registration and business structuring.

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Secure Funding

In running any business, capital is important. The bottled or pure water business is capital intensive, depending on the scale you want to operate.

There are different cost elements you have to consider; the cost of land, erecting of building, borehole drilling, vans, distilling machine, tanks, and other expensive equipment needed for the business’s operation.

If you want to run this business as a sole proprietor, you must have enough savings or assets to convert to cash. Other ways to raise money will be to seek out soft loans from family and friends. Also, you can source for partners or investors to work with. You can as well take out bank loans or apply for available grants.

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Build A Factory

To build a factory, you need land, and depending on your capital, you can lease or build your factory. The building can be big or small but ensure to follow the standard factory layout for overall ease of production.

The layout includes a general office, water production room, storage material room, toilet, changing/cloakroom, and laboratory. Also, ensure that the production area is free from water and air pollution. You have to make sure that there’s the availability of constant power supply at the factory. The factory should be situated in a secure area with a good road network.

Also, in building a factory, you need to drill a borehole or partner with water corporation agencies. Water is a raw material for production in the pure water business and must be readily available.

Next, install an overhead tank and reservoir for backup.  Then, set up plans for periodical water treatment. Also, you can carry out a subsurface water analysis before establishing your factory, as this can save costs during water treatment processes.

Water Purification systems

This is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended solids and gases from water. It is done to make water fit for drinking.

In the bottled or pure water business, the water purification systems used are; full-scale distillation systems, ultraviolet sterilization, or reverse osmosis, depending on the startup capacity of the enterprise. These systems will be explained in the following paragraphs.

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Distillation

The distillation system is the most effective but expensive way of purification in water production. It involves boiling the water to produce vapour. It separates components or substances from a liquid mixture by using selective boiling and condensation.

Generally, it removes waterborne biological containments such as bacteria, viruses, organic and inorganic chemicals, heavy metals, volatile gasses, cysts e.t.c.

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Reverse Osmosis (RO)

This water purification process uses a partially permeable membrane to remove ions, unwanted molecules, and larger particles from drinking water.

It removes bacteria from water and can be used to purify drinking and cooking water. Also, it’s used in industrial processes and the production of potable water.

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Ultraviolet Water Purification

UV Light purification is a purely physical, chemical-free type of water purification. It is a safe and effective disinfection method used in residential and industrial water systems. Although not enough for drinking water purification, it is often combined with reverse osmosis systems to provide complete purification.

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Truck/Van

This is one of the most important things to consider in running bottled water or pure water factories. A truck is for distributing the processed and packaged water to retailers and end-users.

You have to factor in durability and fuel consumption rate in buying a truck. Be sure to buy a good truck that won’t break down in the middle of the road all the time. You don’t want to constantly repair your truck as it will impact your business.

For instance, you can buy a fairly used or a new one depending on your budget. Just ensure you won’t have to always visit the mechanic.

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Other Equipment

Some other equipment you need to run your pure water business includes:

• Automatic Sealing Machine; This is used to pack and seal all kinds of liquid without gases. It can be used to seal water, wine, vinegar, e.t.c. You can start with one, two, or three depending on your production capacity.
• Nylons and bottles; This must be printed with your company logos
• Generator
• Packaging nylons
• Water micro filters and cartridges
• Drums, buckets and plastic baskets
• Ozonizer
• Overalls, disposable hand gloves, and hairnet
• Water storage tanks
• Pipes
• Bottling line

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Human Resource

The effectiveness of this business is somewhat dependent on human resources. One man cannot singlehandedly run bottled water or pure water business. The scale of operation will determine the number of employees you need.

So, to run a pure water business, you need to recruit competent personnel like; managers/supervisors, customer service attendants, drivers, accountants, machine operators, packaging officers, cleaners, security, and sales personnel.

The operation manager ensures the smooth running of the facility and coordinates the other personnel. In addition, they design the growth and profit strategy for the sustainability of the business.

The machine operator operates the production machine and other equipment involved in the production process.

Drivers are responsible for transporting the packaged water to wholesale and retail customers.

Packaging officers pack and bag already sealed water. They are responsible for arranging the water into sections for easier distribution.

The customer service attendant serves as the link between the consumers and the company. They interact with the customers and inform them of the company’s various services.

The sales personnel distribute and sell packaged water on behalf of the company. In addition, they lookout for new customers and ensure the company makes as much profit as possible.

Cleaners/Security are semi-skilled employees responsible for the company facilities’ cleanliness and safety.

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Marketing

A good marketing strategy is essential to thriving in the pure water business to beat the existing competition. Also, your business brand, quality of services, and customer satisfaction goal must be unique.

So, create a website and social media page to showcase consumer testimonials and your delivery services. You can also invest in radio and television advertisements as long as you can afford the cost. Ensure to have your logo, physical business location, name, and other identification numbers printed on the sachet, bottles, and van.

Also, you can engage in periodical market research to know the trends and gaps in the market. Finally, have a customer retention plan and understand that anybody can be your customer in the bottled water or pure water business – everyone drinks water.

Also, reward loyal customers; offer discounts that won’t hurt your business to customers and distributors for large scale purchases.

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Get NAFDAC Approval

This is the final step before full operations and production begin. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration And Control (NAFDAC) ensures quality checks in Nigeria’s packaged water production. It controls and regulates the manufacturing, importation, and distribution of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, detergents, medical services and consumables.

Due to the sensitivity of bottled water and pure water business to human health, the NAFDAC also regulates their activity and ensures water production companies follow the quality control guidelines. Some requirements involve the building design, facilities, distribution, standard operating procedure (SOP), which must be strictly adhered to.

Getting the NAFDAC approval is a gradual process and can take more time if the process is not correctly done. Also, you can visit  www.nafac.gov.org and register for the certificate and inspection.

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Conclusion

The competition in the bottled water and pure water business is stiff. Therefore, you must be on top of your game at all times to succeed. In addition, you must adhere to and follow regulations and observe routine maintenance of the factory equipment.

Also, make customer service and satisfaction your most important practice. Like every other business idea we discuss here, success is not guaranteed by opening the business. You have to work hard and be determined.

Do you currently run bottled water or pure water business? Are you planning to venture into the bottled water or pure water business? We will like to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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