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Bottled Water Business

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How to Start a Bottled Water Business: A Step by Step Guide

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on April 13, 2022 Updated on July 5, 2024

Investment range

$6,550 - $15,100

Revenue potential

$130,000 - $416,000 p.a.

Time to build

1 – 3 months

Profit potential

$46,000 - $83,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Here are the most important things to consider when starting a bottled water business:

• Source of water — Find a location close to a clean and sustainable water source. Consider natural water sources such as springs and aquifers.
• Grants — There are a few grants available that can help you start your bottled water business such as Small Business Grants , Drinking Water Grants , and Environmental Grants.
• Licenses — As bottled water is a consumable product, you will need many licenses, such as approval from the health department , FDA approval , environmental permits, water rights , and state-specific permits. 
• Equipment — Invest in high-quality equipment like pumps, pipes, and storage tanks for the water. To treat the water further, add filtration, reverse osmosis units, and UV systems. Your facilities also need bottling, packaging, and shipping equipment.
• Niche — Find a niche and stand out. Think about eco-friendly bottles, flavored and enhanced water, fitness-focused products, kids’ water, etc.
• Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
• Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN .

Interactive Checklist at your fingertips—begin your bottled water business today!

You May Also Wonder:

Can a bottled water business be profitable?

Yes, bottled water has good profit margins. Your key will be to brand your water in a way that is appealing to consumers. You also need to find a reliable manufacturer.

How can I start a bottled water business without opening my own plant?

You can find a water company that will produce your water and packaging and put your own brand and label on it.

Who buys the most bottled water?

The  United States is the country  that buys the most bottled water in the world.

How can I increase the sales of my bottled water?

To increase the sales of your bottled water, focus on marketing and branding by highlighting the quality and unique features of your product. Target your advertising efforts to reach your desired market through various channels. Consider product placements and partnerships to increase visibility and availability. 

What distribution channels should I consider for selling my bottled water?

To distribute your bottled water effectively, consider selling through retail stores, online platforms, beverage distributors, direct sales at events and via subscriptions, and B2B partnerships with establishments like restaurants and gyms. This strategy broadens your market reach and simplifies logistics.

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Starting a bottled water business has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you.

• Good money — Profit margins on bottled water are fairly high
• Flexibility — Run your business from home as a white label company
• Hot market — Demand for bottled water is strong
• Saturated market — Competition is fierce in the bottled water industry
• Partner needed — Finding a white label water company can be challenging

Bottled Water Industry Trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth — The global bottled water industry was worth $303 billion in 2022 and it’s been steadily growing.(( https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/bottled-water-market )) The US market share is worth $9.3 billion.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/bottled-water-production-industry/ ))
• Growth forecast — The global bottled water industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% annually by 2032 to reach more than half a trillion dollars.(( https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/non-alcoholic-drinks/bottled-water/worldwide ))
• Number of businesses — There are 476 bottled water production businesses in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/bottled-water-production-industry/ )) 
• Number of people employed — The US bottled water production industry employs 15,708 people.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/bottled-water-production-industry/ )) 

Trends and Challenges

• Alkaline waters, which have a higher pH level than regular bottled water, are increasingly popular because they are thought to improve energy. The same is true for electrolyte-enhanced water.
• New to the market is hydrogen water, made with more hydrogen and thought to increase energy and endurance as well as to provide antioxidants. Though it’s new, it’s increasing in popularity quickly despite its higher price. 
• Plastic water bottles are piling up in landfills, leading to environmental concerns and increased governmental regulation. This has spurred manufacturers to look for alternative bottling. Many manufacturers are using recycled plastic, but some are moving to cans and paper cartons as better alternatives.
• Plastic bottle production in the United States requires about 17.6 million barrels of oil annually, which is of increasing concern due to the current energy situation.

Consumer Spending

• Average consumer spend — The average person in the US consumes about 46.5 gallons of bottled water per year.(( https://www.statista.com/statistics/183377/per-capita-consumption-of-bottled-water-in-the-us-since-1999/ )) 
• Potential customer base — A recent survey shows that 49 million Americans consume bottled water.(( https://tappwater.co/blogs/blog/how-many-people-consume-bottled-water-globally ))
• Average prices — Consumers tend to buy bottled water in bulk. The average price for a 24-bottle case is $6.99, while specialty waters sell for up to $15 or more. They are commanding a higher price due to the way they are presenting their water to consumers, creating the impression of more health benefits.(( https://bottledwater.org/bottled-water-prices-advertising/ ))

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Bottled Water Business?

Startup costs for a bottled water business range from $6,500 to $15,000. Your costs will depend on the minimum your manufacturer will allow you to order since the bulk of your startup costs are for your initial inventory. 

You could start your search for a manufacturer on this online platform .  

How Much Can You Earn From a Bottled Water Business?

The average price for a private-label specialty case of bottled water is about $10. You can either sell your water online on a site like Amazon, or you can try to find local stores that will stock your water. Your profit margin after manufacturing and packaging costs will be around 35%. 

In your first year or two, you might sell 250 cases a week, bringing in $130,000 in annual revenue. This would mean nearly $46,000 in profit, assuming that 35% margin. As your brand gains recognition and you get your products into grocery stores, sales could climb to 800 cases per week. At this stage, you’d rent out a distribution center and hire staff, reducing your margin to about 20%. With an annual revenue of $416,000, you’d still have a nice profit of more than $83,000.

What Barriers to Entry Are There?

There are a few barriers to entry for a bottled water business. Your biggest challenges will be:

• Finding a manufacturing partner
• Competition from established firms

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a bottled water business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an Opportunity

Research bottled water businesses in your area to examine their products, price points, and what sells best. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a spring water or sachet water company. Sachet water is pre-filtered water heat-sealed in plastic bags instead of bottles.

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as mineral water or purified water.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Choose Your Product Line and Define the Product Range

Bottled water companies are legally allowed to offer:

• Mineral water from an underground source with naturally occurring trace minerals
• Spring water
• Well water, artesian well water 
• Purified water, or treated tap water 

You can choose any of those. Your key will be your labeling and how you brand your product. You could decide to offer vitamin or flavored water, but that would move you out of the bottled water category and into the soft drink category and would make production much more difficult. 

How Much Should You Charge for Bottled Water?

If you present your water as a high-end specialty water, you can charge about $10 per case. The key to this is in packaging and branding that creates the impression of a superior product. Using phrases like “natural spring water” and giving your bottles a confident, appealing design goes a long way. If you go to Amazon and search for bottled water, you’ll see many ways in which water is presented as high-end and commands prices as high as $15 or even $20. 

You should aim for a profit margin of about 35% after manufacturing and packaging costs.

Once you know your costs, you can use our profit margin calculator to determine your markup and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify Your Target Market

Your target market will be broad, but it may tend to be a younger crowd. You can find them on sites like TikTok and Instagram, but you could also advertise on Facebook, LinkedIn, and beyond.  

Where? Choose a Location

When selecting a location for a bottled water company, the approach varies depending on whether you have a partner manufacturer or not:

• Water source — Prioritize a location near a high-quality, sustainable water source like a spring or well.
• Regulatory compliance — Ensure compliance with water extraction and bottling regulations.
• Market proximity — Choose a location close to your target market to reduce transportation costs.
• Infrastructure and accessibility — Look for adequate infrastructure for bottling and packaging, and good transportation links.
• Water source — The same priority for a sustainable, high-quality water source applies.
• Manufacturing facilities — You’ll need space for your own bottling and packaging facilities.
• Labor availability — Ensure access to a skilled workforce for various operational roles.
• Environmental and community impact — Assess and minimize environmental impact and build positive community relations.

In both scenarios, consider the local climate, the potential for natural disasters, and the legal and political environment. Future expansion possibilities and overall costs are also important factors.

Step 3: Brainstorm a Bottled Water Business Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “mineral water” or “spring water,” boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for example, “AquaSource Bottling” over “AquaSource Sparkling Water” or “Coconut Bay Water”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Discover over 280 unique bottled water brand name ideas here . If you want your business name to include specific keywords, you can also use our bottled water name generator. Just type in a few keywords, hit Generate, and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. However, once you pick your company name and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Bottled Water Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive summary — A concise overview of your bottled water business, highlighting key points and objectives.
• Business overview — Detailed information about the bottled water industry, your company’s mission, and its structure
• Product and services — Explanation of the types of bottled water you offer, including any unique features or benefits
• Market analysis — Examination of the target market for bottled water, considering demographics, trends, and potential growth
• Competitive analysis — Assessment of other bottled water companies in the market, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
• Sales and marketing — Strategies for promoting and selling your bottled water, including distribution channels and advertising plans
• Management team — Introduction of key individuals involved in running the business, emphasizing their qualifications and roles
• Operations plan — Details on how your bottled water business will operate, covering production, quality control, and distribution
• Financial plan — Projections of your business’s financial performance, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow forecasts
• Appendix — Supplementary materials such as supporting documents, charts, and additional information to enhance the business plan

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose Where to Register Your Company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to bottled water businesses. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind that it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose Your Business Structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your bottled water business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole proprietorship — The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General partnership — Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) — Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corporation — Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corporation — This refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just needs to elect this structure for tax status. In an S Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number or EIN. You can file for your EIN online, or by mail/fax. Visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind that, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship, you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund Your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans — This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and a strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans — The Small Business Administration can act as a guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants — A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and family — Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding — Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal — Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best options, other than friends and family, for funding a bottled water business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

Step 8: Apply for Bottled Water Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a bottled water business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your bottled water business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability — The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business property — Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment breakdown insurance — Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation — Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property — Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto — Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability — Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP) — This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential Software and Tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats — from marketing to sales to accounting — which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as LS Retail , Vend , or Retail Pro , to manage purchasing, inventory, and invoicing.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , FreshBooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences of filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial. 

Develop Your Website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

However, people are unlikely to find your website unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Website & SEO — Optimize your website and online listings to increase visibility in search results, focusing on bottled water and hydration solutions.
• Engaging social media campaigns — Highlight the purity and source of your water on platforms like Instagram and Twitter to engage a health-conscious audience.
• Interactive website features — Develop an engaging website that educates visitors on the health benefits and sustainability efforts of your brand.
• Health and wellness blogging — Share content on the importance of hydration, water purity, and eco-friendly practices.
• Customer testimonials — Utilize positive feedback to build trust and encourage trial of your water.
• Hydration stations at events — Set up branded stations at local sports and wellness events to promote your product.
• Partnerships with fitness centers — Collaborate with gyms and yoga studios to supply your bottled water, reinforcing a healthy lifestyle image.
• Rewards program — Implement a program that rewards repeat purchases with discounts or other incentives.
• Targeted advertising campaigns — Reach health-conscious consumers and sustainability advocates through targeted digital ads.
• Influencer marketing — Work with health and wellness influencers to amplify the benefits of your water.
• Striking branding and packaging — Design distinctive labels and packaging that reflect the quality and values of your brand.
• Email marketing — Maintain engagement with your customer base through newsletters that provide hydration tips, company updates, and special promotions.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that set it apart from the competition. Today, customers are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your bottled water business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your bottled water business could be: 

• Refreshing natural spring water to live your healthiest life 
• Fortifying mineral water so you’re always at your best 
• Hydrogen water to give you an energy boost

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain but your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a bottled water business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in bottled water for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in bottled water. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a bottled water business include:

• Distribution center workers — preparing bottled water for shipping
• General manager — ordering, accounting
• Marketing lead — SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Bottled Water Business — Start Making Money!

Ready to get in on the action? The bottled water industry is set to double, which means now is the perfect time to create your own bottled water brand. You can start for a relatively low investment if you can find a white-label manufacturer and make a nice return on that investment. You just have to come up with an identity for your water and design your packaging well, and you can bring in some good money.

Now that you understand the business, it’s time to hit the ground running and launch your bottled water business!

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Bottled Water Business Name
• Create a Bottled Water Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund Your Business
• Apply for Bottled Water Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Bottled Water Business — Start Making Money!

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How to Start a Bottled Water Business

Bottled water businesses deal in the bottling and distributing of drinking water to consumers. Whether purified, distilled, or natural spring water, your bottled water business will supply your customers with ample hydration. Taking the steps to start your own bottled water business can be a satisfying experience that allows you to make money while also helping your customers achieve a healthy lifestyle. 

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? We recommend forming an LLC as it is the most affordable way to protect your personal assets. You can do this yourself or with our trusted partner for a small fee. Northwest ($29 + State Fees) DIY: How to Start an LLC

Start a bottled water business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Bottled Water Business
• Form your Bottled Water Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Bottled Water Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Bottled Water Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Bottled Water Business
• Get Bottled Water Business Insurance
• Define your Bottled Water Business Brand
• Create your Bottled Water Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your bottled water business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Bottled Water Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Find a Domain Now

Powered by godaddy.com, what are the costs involved in opening a bottled water business.

Costs for starting a water treatment plant include storage tanks, filling machines, water treatment machines, filters, conveyors, sealers, water sterilizers, water dispensers, bottle loaders, trucks, and employees to work in the plant.

Startup costs can range from $500,000 to $750,000 for a “bare bones” plant. However, some plants may require more capital, up to $1.5 million, or more, depending on the size of your operation.

You will also need a license from the U.S. Food And Drug Administration (FDA). You will also need a permit from your state health department.

Finally, you’ll need a dedicated bottle supplier, a water source, and employees to run your plant. This is a very labor-intensive job.

What are the ongoing expenses for a bottled water business?

Ongoing expenses are extensive. Maintenance on the plant can cost tens of thousands of dollars every year for a small plant, and as much (or more) every month for a medium to large-scale bottled water plant.

Utility costs can also be high, due to the process of purifying and bottling water.

Labor costs are also high, as most employees expect a full-time salary, plus benefits. Liability insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance, 401(k) matching and administrative services, and worker’s compensation insurance can run tens of thousands of dollars per month.

Who is the target market?

Customers are usually commercial enterprises like local grocery stores. However, some small companies do sell directly to consumers or to businesses.

How does a bottled water business make money?

A bottled water business makes money by charging customers for processing and bottling potable water.

Bottled water has a high markup. If you are selling to grocery stores, you may be able to charge $1 to $2 per bottle, or a flat rate per truckload or pallet. Most companies make arrangements for regular shipments to establish themselves as “anchor customers.” You may or may not sell your products for a lower price to get these deals, but will generally increase revenue as a result.

How much profit can a bottled water business make?

Profits can range between 100% and 500%, or more.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Your business can become even more profitable by entering niche markets such as flavored bottled water, sparkling water, spring water, and mineral water. Some companies have specialty lines of water, which include flavored mineral water, flavored sparkling water, and sports drinks.

Finally, consider offering designer waters, seltzer waters and club soda, and flavored soda.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your bottled water business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they're a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business's debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business's liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your bottled water business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We've negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.

Form Your LLC Now

Note: If you're interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

Federal Business Licensing Requirements

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water. FDA regulations for bottled water include Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), standards of identity and labeling requirements.

A detailed description of regulation, licensing and labeling requirements can be found here .

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a bottled water business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Bottled Water Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Bottled Water Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a bottled water business

Marketing and distribution is key in this business. Your target market should be grocers, vending machine companies and operators, stadiums, event locations, and other large-scale commercial enterprises and operations that need high volume bottled water supplies.

How to keep customers coming back

Make sure you deliver on your promises and be competitive on your pricing. This is a highly commoditized industry. Often, it’s the business that meets deadlines and has the lowest (or at least competitive) pricing that wins.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is perfect for individuals who are passionate about their health or are health conscious and want to run a business that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a bottled water business?

The day-to-day operations of a plant depend largely on the type of plant you run.

There are many different ways to process bottled water. Spring water is one of the most common. It comes from an underground formation and flows naturally to the earth's surface. Purified drinking water is one that is processed to remove chlorine and other contaminants. Unless your plant processes public sources of water, like municipal drinking water, you are not usually required to disclose where you sourced it.

Natural sparkling water is naturally carbonated water from a spring or well. Mineral water comes from a spring and contains dissolved minerals like magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, and silica and bicarbonates. Finally, seltzer water is an FDA-regulated soft drink product.

The day-to-day operations include bringing in water from an outside source and bottling it. During this process, there are many intermediary steps, including sanitising containers, preparing bottles preparing and filtering the water, and setting up packaging protocols to ensure that the water is ready to be shipped.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful bottled water business?

You will need business experience, contacts in the industry, and a working understanding of how water is purified. No degrees are necessary but you may need special permitting and licensing from the government. Most owners and managers of a bottled water business have extensive management experience, especially in a related industry.

What is the growth potential for a bottled water business?

Growth potential is virtually unlimited. Companies like Nestle own massive water processing and treatment plants where they produce bottled water for countless grocery stores and make billions in profits every year.

Most bottled water plants start life as small or medium-sized plants.

You can grow your business at a rapid pace by taking on outside financing from a bank or venture capital firm. Or, you can grow more organically from sales profits. Growing through leverage (bank loans) has its advantages. For example, your profits are likely to climb quickly on momentum. This can shortcut the time it takes you to grow and meet your revenue growth targets. However, it can also saddle you with creditors who want to see target revenue and profit targets that are too optimistic.

Growing organically is prevents this from happening, but it also slows growth and might prevent you from growing beyond a certain size.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a bottled water business?

Spend time finding a sustainable water source for your operation. Your water source will greatly influence your profits. If you find a source that costs $3 to $5 per 1,000 liters, this is going to result in a higher profit than if you’re paying the same amount for 100 liters of water.

How and when to build a team

You must begin building a team immediately. A bottled water company cannot operate as a solo or one-person company. You will need at least 20 to 50 employees to start, and you should scale up within the first 3 years to at least 50 to 100 employees, or more.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• International Bottled Water Association
• International Council of Bottled Water Associations
• Water to Go Franchise Opportunity

Real World Examples

• Lithia Spring Water
• The Mountain Valley Spring
• Arbor Spring Water

Further Reading

• How to Start a Bottled Water Production Company in 20 Steps
• Important Points to Think About Your Business Plan
• Licensing & Labeling in the Bottled Water Business
• Source Water Development

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

• Sample Business Plans
• Food, Beverage & Restaurant

Bottled Water Business Plan

Your bottled water business will give your clients plenty of hydration whether it uses; filtered, distilled, or natural spring water. Thus are you ready to hydrate people and start your business out of it? But before starting it you will need careful planning.

Need help writing a business plan for your bottled water business? You’re at the right place. Our bottled water business plan template will help you get started.

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free bottled water business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

How to Write A Bottled Water Business Plan?

Writing a bottled water business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

• Market Opportunity: Summarize your market research, including market size, growth potential, and marketing trends. Highlight the opportunities in the market and how your business will fit in to fill the gap.
• Marketing & Sales Strategies: Outline your sales and marketing strategies—what marketing platforms you use, how you plan on acquiring customers, etc.
• Financial Highlights: Briefly summarize your financial projections for the initial years of business operations. Include any capital or investment requirements, associated startup costs, projected revenues, and profit forecasts.
• Call to Action: Summarize your executive summary section with a clear CTA, for example, inviting angel investors to discuss the potential business investment.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

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2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

Describe what kind of bottled water company you run and the name of it. You may specialize in one of the following bottled water businesses:

• Natural spring water
• Purified water
• Mineral water
• Artesian water
• Functional water
• Describe the legal structure of your bottled water company, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.
• Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.
• Owners: List the names of your bottled water company’s founders or owners. Describe what shares they own and their responsibilities for efficiently managing the business.
• Mission Statement: Summarize your business’ objective, core principles, and values in your mission statement. This statement needs to be memorable, clear, and brief.
• Future Goals: It’s crucial to convey your aspirations and vision. Mention your short-term and long-term goals; they can be specific targets for revenue, market share, or expanding your services.

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

• Competitive Analysis: Identify and analyze your direct and indirect competitors . Identify their strengths and weaknesses, and describe what differentiates your bottled water services from them. Point out how you have a competitive edge in the market.
• Regulatory Environment: List regulations and licensing requirements that may affect your bottled water company, such as labeling regulations, quality & safety testing, compliance & inspections, etc.

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your bottled water company business plan:

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

• Single-serve bottles
• Multipack bottles
• Premium & specialty bottles
• Water filtration
• Water delivery services
• Customized bottles
• Describe the health benefits: If relevant, draw attention to any unique mineral composition or health advantages of your water, such as high mineral content, alkaline characteristics, or the presence of extra electrolytes.
• Quality measures: Describe your water’s sources and the steps you took to ensure their quality and purity. Talk about any accreditations, testing protocols, or quality control systems you have in place to ensure product safety and regulatory compliance.
• Additional Services: Mention if your bottled water company offers any additional services. You may include services like customized labeling & branding, subscription services, event & catering services, water education & workshops, etc.

In short, this section of your bottled water plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

• Pricing Strategy: Describe your pricing strategy—how you plan to price your products or services and stay competitive in the local market. You can mention any discounts you plan on offering to attract new customers.
• Marketing Strategies: Discuss your marketing strategies to market your services. You may include some of these marketing strategies in your business plan—social media marketing, Google ads, brochures, content marketing, and print marketing.
• Sales Strategies: Outline the strategies you’ll implement to maximize your sales. Your sales strategies may include partnering with other businesses, influencer collaboration, offering referral programs, etc.
• Customer Retention: Describe your customer retention strategies and how you plan to execute them. For instance, introducing loyalty programs, discounts & offers, personalized service, etc.

Overall, this section of your bottled water production business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your bottled water business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

• Staffing & Training: Mention your business’s staffing requirements, including the number of employees or staff needed. Include their qualifications, the training required, and the duties they will perform.
• Operational Process: Outline the processes and procedures you will use to run your bottled water business. Your operational processes may include water source & treatment, bottling & packaging, quality control & testing, inventory management, etc.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your bottled water business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

• Founders/CEO: Mention the founders and CEO of your bottled water company, and describe their roles and responsibilities in successfully running the business.
• Organizational structure: Explain the organizational structure of your management team. Include the reporting line and decision-making hierarchy.
• Compensation Plan: Describe your compensation plan for the management and staff. Include their salaries, incentives, and other benefits.

This section should describe the key personnel for your bottled water business, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

• Profit & loss statement: Describe details such as projected revenue, operational costs, and service costs in your projected profit and loss statement . Make sure to include your business’s expected net profit or loss.
• Cash flow statement: The cash flow for the first few years of your operation should be estimated and described in this section. This may include billing invoices, payment receipts, loan payments, and any other cash flow statements.
• Balance Sheet: Create a projected balance sheet documenting your bottled water business’s assets, liabilities, and equity.
• Financing Needs: Calculate costs associated with starting a bottled water business, and estimate your financing needs and how much capital you need to raise to operate your business. Be specific about your short-term and long-term financing requirements, such as investment capital or loans.

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your bottled water manufacturer business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This sample bottled water business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful bottled water plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our bottled water business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a bottled water business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful bottled water business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your bottled water company.

How to get funding for your bottled water business?

There are several ways to get funding for your bottled water business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are:

• Bank loan – You may apply for a loan in government or private banks.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) loan – SBA loans and schemes are available at affordable interest rates, so check the eligibility criteria before applying for it.
• Crowdfunding – The process of supporting a project or business by getting a lot of people to invest in your business, usually online.
• Angel investors – Getting funds from angel investors is one of the most sought startup options.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your bottled water business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your bottled water business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your bottled water business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any bottled water business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software .

Can a good bottled water business plan help me secure funding?

Indeed. A well-crafted bottled water business plan will help your investors better understand your business domain, market trends, strategies, business financials, and growth potential—helping them make better financial decisions.

So, if you have a profitable and investable business, a comprehensive business plan can certainly help you secure your business funding.

What's the importance of a marketing strategy in a bottled water business plan?

Marketing strategy is a key component of your bottled water business plan. Whether it is about achieving certain business goals or helping your investors understand your plan to maximize their return on investment—an impactful marketing strategy is the way to do it!

Here are a few pointers to help you understand the importance of having an impactful marketing strategy:

• It provides your business an edge over your competitors.
• It helps investors better understand your business and growth potential.
• It helps you develop products with the best profit potential.
• It helps you set accurate pricing for your products or services.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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Ultimate Guide to Crafting a Bottled Water Business Plan

Creating a bottled water business plan is essential for entrepreneurs aiming to enter this highly competitive yet lucrative market. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every critical aspect of developing a robust business plan, from market analysis and product differentiation to financial projections and marketing strategies. Understanding the industry’s dynamics and consumer preferences is crucial for positioning your brand effectively and ensuring long-term success. By meticulously crafting each section of your business plan, you’ll not only attract potential investors but also build a strong foundation for your business operations.

In this Ultimate Guide, we’ll delve into the key components that make a successful bottled water business plan. You’ll learn how to conduct thorough market research to identify your target audience, analyze competitors, and pinpoint unique selling propositions. We’ll also cover the essentials of developing a product line that stands out, designing an efficient production and distribution process, and implementing effective sales and marketing tactics. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or a newcomer to the industry, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in the bottled water business.

Key Components of a Successful Bottled Water Business Plan

To establish a thriving bottled water business, several key components must be meticulously planned and executed. Understanding these essential elements can serve as a roadmap to success in this competitive market.

Market Research

Conducting comprehensive market research forms the foundation of any successful business plan. Begin by identifying your target audience. Understand their preferences, spending habits, and consumption trends. Analyze competitors in the industry to differentiate your brand effectively. Utilizing surveys, focus groups, and industry reports can provide valuable insights into customer demands and industry gaps.

Business Model

Defining a clear business model is crucial in a bottled water venture. Decide whether you’ll focus on retail sales, wholesale distribution, or a mix of both. Consider unique selling propositions, such as offering flavored water, adding health benefits, or utilizing eco-friendly packaging. Your business model will influence pricing strategies, marketing tactics, and operational decisions.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Navigating the legal landscape is a non-negotiable aspect of your business plan. Bottled water companies must adhere to regulations set by governmental bodies. Research federal, state, and local laws regarding water sourcing, bottling processes, and food safety. Obtaining necessary permits and certifications is essential to maintain compliance and ensure that your product meets quality standards.

Branding and Marketing Strategy

Creating a compelling brand identity is vital for customer attraction and loyalty. Your branding should reflect the qualities of purity, health, and sustainability. Design a logo and establish a cohesive visual theme across all marketing materials. Develop a marketing strategy that includes both traditional avenues, such as print ads and billboards, and digital platforms like social media and online advertising. Engage with your audience through informative content, building trust and credibility.

Operations Plan

Your operations plan outlines how products will be sourced, bottled, and distributed. Decide whether you will develop your own bottling facility or partner with established manufacturers. The supply chain logistics must also be detailed, covering everything from sourcing water to distribution to retailers or direct-to-consumer sales. Considerations such as quality control, packaging design, and storage also play significant roles in operational success.

Financial Projections

Financial projections are critical for understanding the economic viability of your bottled water business. Create a detailed budget that includes startup costs, ongoing expenses, and revenue forecasts. Analyze different pricing strategies and their impact on profitability. It’s wise to conduct a break-even analysis to determine how much product you need to sell to cover costs. Consider potential funding sources , whether through personal investment, loans, or investors.

Distribution Channels

Defining your distribution channels is integral to reaching your customers effectively. Consider a multi-channel approach, which might include supermarkets, convenience stores, e-commerce platforms, and local businesses. Establishing relationships with distributors can enhance market penetration. Ensure that distribution partners align with your brand’s values and quality standards to maintain consistency.

Sustainability Practices

In today’s eco-conscious market, sustainability can differentiate your brand. Customers are increasingly investing in businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility. Implement practices such as using biodegradable packaging, reducing plastic waste, or sourcing water from sustainable sources. Promote these efforts in your marketing campaigns to attract environmentally aware consumers.

Customer Engagement

Establishing strong connections with customers can enhance brand loyalty and encourage repeat business. Utilize social media platforms to interact with your audience, solicit feedback, and build a community. Consider launching loyalty programs or promotions that incentivize purchases. Email marketing can also be an effective channel for keeping customers informed of new products and special offers.

Risk Assessment

Conducting a thorough risk assessment will help you anticipate and mitigate potential challenges. Identify risks related to supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, or shifts in consumer preferences. Establish contingency plans to address these risks swiftly, ensuring business continuity.

Summary Table of Key Components

By carefully considering these components when crafting your bottled water business plan, you set the stage for a successful venture. The key lies in thorough research, strategic planning, and an unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Embrace innovation in your approach, and remain adaptable to market changes to secure a thriving presence in the industry.

Market Analysis: Understanding the Bottled Water Industry

The bottled water industry has seen significant growth over the past few decades, transforming from a niche market to a staple in many consumers’ diets. Understanding this dynamic sector requires a detailed market analysis that encompasses key trends, target demographics, competitive landscape, and challenges facing the industry.

Market Size and Growth Trends

According to recent reports, the global bottled water market was valued at approximately $200 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 6% through 2028. This growth is driven by a shift in consumer preferences toward healthier Beverage options and concern over tap water safety.

Below is a breakdown of the market size based on different segments:

Target Demographics

Understanding the demographics of bottled water consumers is crucial for businesses looking to enter this market. Key consumer groups include:

• Health-conscious individuals: Many consumers perceive bottled water as a healthier alternative to sugary drinks.
• Convenience seekers: Busy lifestyles and on-the-go consumption contribute to the popularity of bottled water.
• Environmentally conscious consumers: While some view bottled water as single-use plastic waste, brands that offer eco-friendly packaging appeal to this group.

Competitive Landscape

The bottled water market is highly competitive, with several key players dominating the industry. Notable brands include:

• Nestlé Waters
• Coca-Cola (Dasani)
• PepsiCo (Aquafina)
• Danone (Evian)

These companies often invest in branding and marketing campaigns to differentiate their products. Unique selling propositions may include source location, mineral content, and taste. Additionally, local brands can carve out niche markets by promoting their regional sourcing and sustainability efforts.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the bottled water industry is thriving, it does face challenges that entrepreneurs must navigate:

• Environmental concerns: Increasing criticism regarding plastic waste has led to calls for more sustainable packaging solutions.
• Regulatory scrutiny: Water quality regulations are stricter than ever, and companies must ensure compliance to avoid legal issues.
• Market saturation: With a plethora of options available, standing out in a crowded marketplace can be difficult.

However, there are several opportunities, including:

• Innovative products: Brands can explore flavored and functional waters, tapping into growing health trends.
• Sustainable practices: Emphasizing eco-friendly packaging can attract environmentally conscious consumers.
• Digital marketing: Utilizing social media and e-commerce platforms can enhance brand visibility and reach.

Consumer Preferences and Trends

In recent years, consumer preferences have shifted towards more personalized options. Brands offering customized flavors and added benefits—like electrolytes or vitamins—find particular favor among millennials and Gen Z. Additionally, the popularity of premium bottled water brands suggests a willingness to pay more for perceived quality and unique sourcing, such as spring water.

The bottled water industry presents both challenges and opportunities for new businesses. By understanding market dynamics, consumer demographics, and current trends, entrepreneurs can craft strategic business plans that align with consumer interests and environmental standards. Adaptation to evolving consumer demands is key to sustaining growth in this competitive landscape.

Strategies for Sourcing and Packaging Water Products

Launching a bottled water business requires strategic sourcing and impeccable packaging to stand out in a competitive market. Entrepreneurs in this sector must focus on quality, sustainability, and branding to attract customers. Implementing effective strategies in both sourcing and packaging can significantly impact the business’s success.

Identifying Reliable Water Sources

The first step in establishing a bottled water brand is to identify a reliable and safe water source. Natural springs, artesian wells, and filtered municipal water are all viable options, but each has its own benefits and challenges.

• Natural Springs: Sourcing water from natural springs offers a fresh, crisp taste that appeals to health-conscious consumers. Ensure that the spring is protected from pollution and tested regularly for purity.
• Artesian Wells: Water from artesian wells provides mineral-rich options. However, drilling and maintaining these wells can be costly.
• Municipal Filtration: Filtering municipal water can be cost-effective and allow for higher scalability. However, this option needs thorough testing to meet safety standards.

Strategic Partnerships

Establishing partnerships with water suppliers can streamline the sourcing process. Suppliers can provide bulk water at competitive prices, making it easier to manage costs while ensuring quality. It’s critical to vet potential suppliers meticulously, checking for certifications and compliance with health regulations.

Emphasizing Sustainability

Sustainable sourcing practices not only benefit the environment but also enhance your brand reputation. Consumers increasingly prefer eco-friendly brands. Consider the following approaches:

• Local Sources: Sourcing water closer to your bottling plant reduces carbon emissions related to transportation.
• Water Conservation: Implement practices that minimize water waste during the bottling process.
• Community Engagement: Invest in local water conservation initiatives to foster goodwill and enhance your brand’s community image.

Innovative Packaging Solutions

Packaging plays a vital role in the bottled water business. The right packaging not only protects the product but also serves as a marketing tool. Consider these packaging strategies:

• Material Selection: Use environmentally friendly materials such as recycled plastics or biodegradable options. This aligns with consumer preferences for sustainable products.
• Size Variety: Offer various sizes of bottled water to cater to different consumer needs—from single-serve bottles to family-sized containers.
• Unique Design: Invest in eye-catching designs and informative labels. Clear branding can differentiate your product on crowded shelves.

Labeling and Compliance

Every bottled water product must comply with local and federal regulations. Clear labeling is not just a legal requirement; it also impacts consumer trust. Ensure your labels include:

• Source of the water
• Mineral content (if applicable)
• Best before date
• Recycling info

Market Testing and Feedback

Before fully launching, conduct market testing with various packaging options and gather customer feedback. This can provide valuable insights into consumer preferences regarding design, size, and price point. Adjusting your strategy based on feedback can improve market acceptance and bolster brand loyalty.

Cost Considerations and Budgeting

Sourcing and packaging require thoughtful budgeting. Here’s a list of factors to consider:

• Cost of water sourcing and purification
• Expenses related to packaging materials
• Transportation costs
• Marketing and branding expenditures

Success in the bottled water business relies heavily on strategic sourcing and innovative packaging. By focusing on quality, sustainability, and strong branding, entrepreneurs can carve out a unique space in this saturated market. Careful planning, market research, and adaptability will pave the way for a thriving operation.

Marketing Techniques for Promoting Bottled Water Brands

The bottled water industry continues to expand globally, necessitating effective marketing strategies to stand out in a congested marketplace. To build a successful bottled water brand, businesses must implement innovative marketing techniques that resonate with consumers. Here are some effective approaches that can enhance brand visibility and drive sales.

Understanding the Target Audience

Identifying and understanding your target audience is vital. Research demographic and psychographic data to determine who your ideal customers are. Factors to consider include age, gender, lifestyle, and purchasing behavior. By gaining insight into your audience, you can tailor your marketing messages to better engage them.

Leveraging Social Media

Social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, are invaluable for marketing bottled water brands. Here’s how to optimize social media efforts:

• Create Engaging Content: Post visually appealing images and videos of your product, showcasing its features and benefits.
• Utilize Influencer Marketing: Partner with influencers who resonate with your target audience. Their endorsement can significantly boost brand awareness.
• Run Contests and Giveaways: Encourage users to share your content and tag friends for a chance to win your products. This increases engagement and expands your reach.

Focus on Brand Storytelling

Telling a compelling brand story helps consumers connect with your bottled water brand on an emotional level. Highlight what makes your water unique, such as its source, purification process, or sustainability initiatives. Use storytelling in marketing materials, including websites, advertisements, and social media platforms. Authentic and relatable narratives can foster loyalty.

Implementing Sustainable Practices

As consumers become increasingly eco-conscious, incorporating sustainable practices into your bottled water business can attract attention. Consider the following:

• Eco-Friendly Packaging: Use biodegradable or recyclable packaging materials to appeal to environmentally conscious customers.
• Water Conservation Initiatives: Partner with environmental organizations to promote water sustainability, and make sure to convey these efforts in your marketing.
• Transparency: Clearly communicate sustainable practices to consumers to build trust and credibility.

Utilizing Traditional Marketing Techniques

While digital marketing is vital, traditional strategies shouldn’t be overlooked. Here are some effective traditional marketing tactics:

• Event Sponsorship: Sponsor local events, sports teams, or community functions to enhance brand visibility.
• Direct Mail Campaigns: Send targeted mailers to promote your product and offers directly to potential customers.
• Billboards and Print Advertising: Use eye-catching visuals and concise messaging to grab the attention of passersby.

Offering Free Samples

One effective way to generate interest in your bottled water brand is through free samples. Distributing samples at events or in-store can encourage new customers to try your product. Here’s why this tactic is beneficial:

• It allows consumers to taste your product and experience its quality firsthand.
• Sampling can lead to immediate sales, as satisfied consumers are likely to purchase after trying the product.

Collaborative Marketing Opportunities

Forming partnerships or collaborations with other brands can enhance visibility. Explore co-branding opportunities with fitness centers, health food stores, or restaurants that align with your brand values. Such partnerships may include:

• Joint Promotions: Create synergistic campaigns that leverage each brand’s audience.
• Cross-Promotion: Highlight your bottled water in collaborative advertising or social media posts.

Tracking and Analyzing Performance

Utilizing analytical tools to measure the success of various marketing efforts is crucial. Assess metrics such as website traffic, social media engagement, and sales figures to understand what strategies work best. Use this data to refine your marketing approach continuously.

An effective marketing strategy for bottled water brands involves a mix of understanding your audience, leveraging social media, focusing on storytelling, practicing sustainability, utilizing traditional methods, providing samples, exploring collaborations, and tracking your performance. By implementing these diverse marketing techniques, businesses can establish a strong brand presence, attract a loyal customer base, and ultimately boost sales.

Regulatory Considerations for Starting a Bottled Water Business

When contemplating the establishment of a bottled water business, entrepreneurs must navigate a complex landscape of regulatory considerations. These regulations are put in place to ensure public health and safety, as bottled water is deemed a food product. Compliance with these laws not only safeguards consumers but also helps businesses avoid penalties and potential shutdowns.

Understanding Food and Safety Regulations

One of the primary regulatory frameworks governing bottled water businesses is the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ). The FDA enforces regulations that classify bottled water as a food product. This means adherences to stringent quality standards for water processing and bottling are mandatory.

Water bottling facilities must adhere to the following requirements:

• Facility Registration: Bottled water manufacturers must register their facilities with the FDA.
• Labeling Requirements: Labels must include crucial information such as the source of the water, trace mineral content, and expiration dates. The labeling must comply with the FDA’s regulations on food labeling.
• Quality Testing: Continuous monitoring and testing of water quality are obligatory to ensure it meets the EPA’s drinking water standards.

State Regulations

In addition to federal regulations, bottled water businesses must comply with state regulations, which can vary widely. Some states have their own bottled water quality standards that exceed federal requirements. Entrepreneurs should check with their state health department or state regulatory agency to understand local compliance rules, including:

• Water Source Permits: Obtaining permits for water extraction from springs or wells.
• Bottling Facility Licenses: Securing necessary business licenses specific to bottled water production.
• Water Testing: Regular testing protocols may be established at the state level, necessitating adherence to local health guidelines.

Environmental Considerations

Bottled water operations can have considerable environmental impacts, prompting regulatory scrutiny on sustainability measures. Business owners should consider:

• Water Usage Permits: Many states require permits for large-scale water extraction, aimed at conserving local water resources.
• Waste Management Regulations: Compliance with local waste disposal regulations for plastics and other materials used during bottling will be necessary.
• Recycling Initiatives: Implementing recycling programs can not only help satisfy potential regulations but also resonate with environmentally-conscious consumers.

Health and Safety Regulations

Another critical aspect revolves around health and safety requirements. Employee safety measures, cleanliness standards, and bottling line safety must meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Adhering to these requirements includes:

• Employee Training: Facility staff should be trained in hazardous materials handling and general safety procedures.
• Sanitation Protocols: Enforcement of proper sanitation practices during the bottling process, including equipment maintenance and cleanliness.

Labels and Marketing Compliance

Marketing and labels are significant components of a bottled water business plan. Misleading claims or inaccurate information on labels can lead to legal repercussions. Businesses must ensure that:

• Nutritional Information Compliance: Labels should contain truthful information regarding nutritional content and potential health benefits.
• Truthful Marketing Claims: Any marketing materials must accurately reflect the source and purity of the water being sold.

Compliance Costs

Understanding the cost associated with regulatory compliance is crucial for aspiring bottled water business owners. Initial investments in compliance can be significant but are vital for long-term success. Anticipating expenses may include:

• Permit Application Fees: Costs associated with obtaining necessary permits from both state and federal agencies.
• Testing and Quality Assurance: Routine tests for water quality and safety can introduce continuous financial outlay.
• Label Design and Production: Ensuring labels are compliant can lead to higher design and production costs.

Final Considerations

Ultimately, launching a bottled water business can be a rewarding venture, but it demands full compliance with a variety of regulatory frameworks. Entrepreneurs must equip themselves with knowledge about local, state, and federal regulations to prevent legal issues. Furthermore, establishing strong relationships with regulatory bodies can facilitate smoother operations.

By diligently adhering to established guidelines and incorporating sustainable practices, bottled water businesses can thrive while ensuring the health and safety of their consumers. Regulatory considerations are an essential element in the roadmap of any aspiring entrepreneur in this sector. Following these guidelines will not just keep the business compliant but also build a brand built on trust and integrity, appealing to an increasingly discerning consumer base.

Financial Projections: Budgeting for Your Bottled Water Venture

Starting a bottled water business requires detailed financial planning to ensure sustainability and profitability. Comprehensive financial projections serve as the backbone of your business plan. They guide your budgeting process and provide insights into your potential revenue, expenses, and overall feasibility.

To successfully navigate the financial landscape of your bottled water venture, you need to break down key components such as startup costs, ongoing operational expenses, sales forecasts, and profitability estimates.

Startup Costs

Initially, you should outline your startup costs, which are critical in determining the amount of capital needed to launch your business. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Licensing and Permits: Depending on your location, obtaining the necessary licenses can range from $500 to $5,000.
• Equipment: Bottling machinery, labeling machines, and water purification systems could cost between $10,000 and $100,000.
• Initial Inventory: Purchase of bottled water, labeling, and packaging materials might require an upfront investment of $2,000 to $20,000.
• Marketing Costs: Attracting your first customers could range from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the scale of your marketing efforts.
• Rent and Utility Deposits: If you’re leasing space, prepare for deposits and initial rent that may vary from $1,000 to $5,000.

In total, your startup costs could range from $14,500 to $140,000. Carefully assessing these figures will help you avoid unexpected financial strains and establish a solid foundation for your bottled water venture.

Ongoing Operational Expenses

Once you’ve successfully launched, maintaining a handle on ongoing operational costs is vital for your bottled water business. These costs can be categorized as follows:

• Production Costs: This includes the cost of water, bottles, labels, and labor, which may range from $5,000 to $30,000 monthly, depending on your production scale.
• Marketing Expenses: Allocating $500 to $5,000 each month for advertising, promotions, and social media can help grow your awareness.
• Administrative Costs: Expenses such as salaries, accounting services, and office supplies could amount to $1,000 to $3,000 monthly.
• Transportation Costs: Delivering bottled water adds another layer of expenses, estimated at $500 to $2,000 each month.

Calculating these costs can provide clarity on your financial commitments and ensure you’re prepared for the day-to-day operations of your business.

Sales Forecast

Creating a sales forecast helps you gain insights into potential revenue. Start by estimating the price per bottle and the anticipated sales volume. Here’s an example:

By continuing this estimation over the subsequent months, you can develop a detailed financial project that helps you identify peak sales periods and prepare for potential fluctuations in demand.

Profitability Estimates

Once you have a clear understanding of both your costs and revenue projections, calculating profitability becomes essential. Deduct your total operating expenses from your projected revenue in a given period to determine your anticipated profitability. For example, if you expect to generate $10,000 in revenue over three months, and your costs total $8,000, your projected profit would be:

Profit = Revenue – Expenses

Profit = $10,000 – $8,000 = $2,000

Understanding profit margins can provide excellent insights into where to cut costs or where to invest more for growth. Tracking these figures closely will help you adapt quickly to changing market conditions.

Financial projections play a pivotal role in shaping the success of your bottled water business. By focusing on startup costs, ongoing operational expenses, sales forecasts, and profitability estimates, you lay the groundwork for strategic decision-making and potential growth. Remember, keeping your projections flexible allows for adjustments as new information or market changes arise.

Sustainability Practices in the Bottled Water Industry

The bottled water industry faces significant scrutiny over its environmental impact. As more consumers become environmentally conscious, companies in this sector are exploring sustainability practices to align with public values and enhance their brand image. Implementing sustainable strategies not only meets consumer demands but also helps mitigate the industry’s ecological footprint.

Reducing Plastic Waste

A major concern in the bottled water industry is plastic waste. Companies are now taking steps to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics. For instance, brands are exploring biodegradable materials, and some are investing in recycled PET (rPET) bottles. Using rPET can significantly minimize the production of virgin plastic, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions throughout the manufacturing process.

Current rPET Utilization Statistics

Transitioning to rPET not only improves sustainability but also resonates with eco-conscious buyers who prefer products that contribute positively to the environment. Moreover, brands are implementing bottle return schemes, allowing consumers to return empty bottles for recycling, thus fostering a circular economy.

Water Source Protection

Ensuring sustainable water sourcing is another vital aspect for bottled water companies. Over-extraction of water from natural resources can lead to severe environmental issues, including depletion of aquifers and ecosystem disruption. To combat this, many companies are adopting sustainable sourcing practices that promote responsible water extraction. This includes conducting environmental impact assessments and collaborating with local communities to ensure water needs are met without compromising the environment.

Community Collaboration Initiatives

• Local Conservation Projects: Partnering with organizations to protect local watersheds.
• Water Footprint Assessments: Evaluating and improving water use efficiency across operations.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating communities about sustainable water practices.

Energy Efficiency in Production

Energy consumption during the bottling process significantly impacts the overall environmental footprint. Companies in the bottled water sector are now focusing on energy-efficient technologies. Implementing renewable energy sources like solar or wind power helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions linked to production processes. Additionally, optimizing production lines with advanced machinery can enhance energy efficiency, reducing overall operational costs.

Energy Efficiency Percentages

Moreover, companies are reviewing their supply chains and logistics to identify areas for reducing carbon footprints. By optimizing transportation routes and utilizing eco-friendly vehicles, firms can contribute further to sustainability practices.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Implementing Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives strengthens community ties and improves brand reputation. Sustainable business practices must extend beyond merely meeting environmental targets. They encompass ethical labor practices, community engagement, and transparency in business operations. When bottled water brands commit to social and environmental ethics, they build consumer trust and loyalty. Engaging local communities can lead to innovative solutions and partnerships that enhance both social and environmental performance.

The bottled water industry is evolving towards more sustainable practices, focusing on reducing plastic waste, protecting water sources, improving energy efficiency, and promoting social responsibility. As consumer demand for environmentally friendly products rises, companies that invest in sustainable practices are better positioned to thrive in the competitive market. These initiatives not only benefit the planet but also resonate positively with consumers, driving brand loyalty and long-term success.

As we wrap up our comprehensive exploration of a bottled water business plan, it’s clear that embarking on this venture involves a multifaceted approach that touches on critical elements of the industry. Each topic discussed plays a vital role in shaping a successful business model, ensuring not only profitability but also sustainability and compliance in a competitive market.

First and foremost, understanding the key components of a successful bottled water business plan lays the groundwork for any aspiring entrepreneur. A well-structured plan acts as a roadmap, guiding you through the various stages of your business journey. It helps define your business’ mission, goals, target audience, and the unique selling propositions (USPs) that will differentiate your brand from others in a crowded marketplace. Investors and stakeholders are more likely to engage with a well-articulated plan that reflects a deep understanding of the industry dynamics.

Conducting a market analysis is crucial in the bottled water industry. This analysis provides insights into current trends, consumer preferences, and competitive positioning. Knowing your market allows you to make informed decisions about your product offerings and marketing strategies. For instance, with increasing awareness around health and wellness, many consumers lean towards bottled water brands that emphasize purity, natural sources, and added health benefits. This understanding can guide your product development—from the sourcing of water to the type of packaging you choose.

When it comes to sourcing and packaging your water products , strategic decisions can significantly influence your brand image. Sourcing natural spring water, mineral-rich water, or purified water should align with your target market’s preferences. Additionally, sustainable packaging options are gaining traction, as more consumers are opting for environmentally friendly products. Consider using biodegradable materials or offering a refillable bottle option to attract eco-conscious customers. This not only caters to consumer demand but also aligns your brand with broader sustainability practices.

Effective marketing techniques are essential for promoting your bottled water brand. In today’s digital age, leveraging social media platforms, influencer partnerships, and content marketing can amplify your brand’s reach and resonance. Consider creating engaging content that showcases the origins of your water, the benefits of staying hydrated, and the environmental initiatives your brand pursues. Campaigns that foster community involvement, such as clean-up drives or hydration challenges, can enhance brand visibility and loyalty. The goal is to create a compelling narrative around your brand that connects emotionally with consumers.

Navigating regulatory considerations is another critical aspect of launching a bottled water business. Familiarization with local and national regulations regarding water quality, labeling, packaging, and food safety is mandatory. Complying with these regulations not only ensures your business operates legally but also builds trust with consumers who are increasingly vigilant about product safety. Investing time and resources in meeting these standards should be part of your initial business strategy to prevent possible legal hurdles down the line.

Financial projections play a central role in your business plan. Accurate budgeting and forecasting enable you to allocate resources effectively, set realistic sales targets, and evaluate your cash flow needs. Include detailed projections that address startup costs, operational expenses, and anticipated revenue, so you can visualize your business’s financial landscape. This insight will not only aid in managing your business but will also be valuable when seeking investment or financing.

Establishing sustainability practices within the bottled water industry should not be an afterthought. Consumers increasingly support brands that showcase environmental responsibility. sustainable practices—from usage of renewable energy in production to the adoption of water-efficient processes—can significantly bolster your brand’s reputation. This approach not only attracts eco-conscious consumers but can also reduce operational costs in the long run.

Pursuing a bottled water business requires careful planning and consideration of several factors—from understanding your market to ensuring compliance and adopting sustainable practices. By crafting a well-rounded business plan that encompasses these essential components, you’ll be positioning your brand not just for success in the competitive bottled water industry but as a leader in ethical and sustainable practices. Embracing innovation and responsiveness to consumer needs will enable you to thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace. As you embark on this journey, remember that constant evaluation and adaptation will be key to sustaining your venture’s growth and impact.

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How to Start a Bottled Water Company in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

Updated:   January 23, 2024

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The bottled water industry is a lucrative market, valued at over $316.76 billion in 2023 . As health trends shift towards sugar-free options and consumers place greater value on convenience, bottled water has become one of the fastest-growing beverage segments, with an expected 6.14% growth rate from 2023 to 2028.

Tap into this high-demand niche with your own bottled water company. Determine your production capacity and distribution reach to target specific client segments – from grocery chains to hotels and gyms to hospitals. Research permits, equipment, and testing are needed to bottle natural springs or purified water.

This guide will explain how to start a bottled water company. Topics include market research, competitive analysis, obtaining business insurance, forming an LLC, customer focus, registering an EIN, and more.

1. Conduct Bottled Water Market Research

Market research is essential to water bottling company newcomers. It offers insight into market trends, target market, market saturation, and other details integral to starting your own bottled water business.

Some details you’ll learn through market research include:

• An appealing factor is the high gross margins for bottled water companies.
• While figures vary based on factors like source and processing method, bottled water generally produces gross margins of over 50% on average.
• With strong forecasted revenue growth, the bottled water industry remains lucrative.
• Rising environmental concerns could pose a challenge.
• Growing awareness of plastic pollution may gradually shift demand towards sustainable packaging and water access initiatives.
• Those entering this market should emphasize product purity, sustainable practices like recycled PET bottles, and affordable pricing bundles to retain budget-conscious consumers in an economic downturn.

With strategic planning, emerging bottled water companies can capitalize on this growth market by identifying an under-served niche, differentiating through unique mineral content claims, or disruptive filtration methods for purified water. The rewarding margins provide healthy profit potential to establish your footprint here.

2. Analyze the Competition

Understanding the competitive landscape is key for new bottled water companies aiming to secure market share. Investigating other bottled water businesses offers an important look into local pricing, services, water treatment machines, and even where to base your water bottling plant.

Research major brands and regional players to analyze pricing, packaging, labeling claims, and target demographics. For example, budget offerings like Aquafina or higher-priced imports like Fiji. Visit grocery stores, convenience shops, gyms, and hotels to see first-hand what’s stocked and promoted through displays or signage.

Evaluate direct local competitors by obtaining samples to compare factors like taste, mineral content, and water purity against your own. Identify where potential gaps exist you could fill or areas where you can parallel and then surpass through unique selling points like enhanced filtration methods or custom mineral blends.

Online competitor analysis examines SEO visibility, website engagement metrics, social media followings, and customer sentiment in reviews. Leverage free tools like SEMrush, BuzzSumo, and Facebook Audience Insights to benchmark competitors’ site traffic, top-performing content, and user demographics.

Ongoing monitoring of sales patterns, product line expansions, and marketing campaigns keeps your competitive strategy sharp and adaptive. This vigilance primes you to counter key market threats through greater value offerings tailored to reach more customers. For instance, some competitors may sell their products to liquor stores to complement the products already on offer while others partner with catering businesses to maximize sales.

3. Costs to Start a Bottled Water Business

When launching a bottled water company, significant capital is required, especially on the front end. From sourcing spring water access to bottling equipment to product distribution, expenses add up. We’ll analyze typical start-up and ongoing costs to factor into your business plan.

Start-Up Costs

Securing spring water rights often demands upfront investments starting around $50,000. Licensing and exploratory drilling fees apply, along with hydrology tests to analyze water quality, yields, and sustainability.

Bottling equipment represents a significant expense. Automated machinery for washing, filling, and capping bottles can run $75,000 to $100,000 or more. Additional filtration systems to purify water and monitoring devices cost extra. Allow at least $150,000 total for industrial-scale equipment.

Product testing and reporting must conform to state and federal safety regulations. Initial lab work and analysis averages $1,500. Recurring quarterly testing and reporting may require partnerships with water quality assurance labs.

Branding and package design are critical for shelf appeal and company recognition. Budget around $6,000-$10,000 for logo design, labeling, and prototyping your plastic or glass bottles.

Other expenses include warehouse space leasing, shipping pallets, office furnishings, and legal/professional services for business licensing, contracts, and financing, costing roughly $30,000 in total.

In total, around $250,000 or more provides a reasonable fund for covering core start-up costs. Additional operating capital gives flexibility for overruns.

Ongoing Costs

Raw materials represent water businesses’ highest ongoing expenditure. Sourcing and bottling enough spring water to meet demand, allowing for spillage – called “overage” – runs approximately $0.20 to $0.40 per gallon.

Plastic bottle production, including cap, label, and packaging averages $0.12 to $0.20 per unit. Opting for glass can nearly double per-unit costs. With recycled PET and bulk bottle orders, materials may cost $0.10 per piece.

Depending on production volumes, plan on at least $15,000 to $25,000 monthly for raw materials including water sourcing, bottles, labeling, and packaging.

Warehousing fees are another major line item, with small-operation monthly rates starting around $1,500. Variable storage fees and pallet spacing needs can quickly increase costs though. Depending on business growth, dedicate at least $18,000 but likely more annually.

Ongoing quality control testing will run about $3,000 quarterly. Marketing expenses like trade show participation, sales commissions, and advertising depend on distribution scale but often range from $2,500 monthly for regional bottlers. Account for another $10,000+ annually.

Other recurring operating expenses like equipment maintenance, insurance premiums, administrative fees, and payroll contribute added overhead. Evaluate your organizational blueprint, production goals, and sales territory to accurately forecast costs.

4. Form a Legal Business Entity

When establishing a bottled water company, the legal structure carries major implications for liability, tax treatment, and ease of expansion. We’ll analyze the key options – sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, and corporation – specifically for this industry.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship has simple paperwork and full owner control, but zero liability protection where owners’ assets could be seized.

Partnership

Partnerships allow pooling resources and splitting profits but still expose personal assets. Difficult to add new partners later without amending complex agreements.

Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)

A limited liability corporation (LLC) emerges as the prime structure for bottled water businesses. LLCs limit owners’ liability, so their homes and bank accounts stay protected. Tax flexibility allows filing as a corporation or pass-through entity. No ownership restrictions facilitate bringing on investors or additional bottling plants under the LLC umbrella. Admin fees of around $100+ annually prove reasonable.

Corporation

Converting to a C-corporation has appeal for major expansion plans, including potentially going public someday. But double taxation of profits and dividends deter small bottlers. Additionally, increased legal oversight on policies and share distribution must be managed through annual filings. For mid-size operators though, S-corp election retains LLC tax advantages without the C-corp burdens.

5. Register Your Business For Taxes

Even sole proprietors must obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) when establishing a formal business. This unique 9-digit number acts like a Social Security Number for your company when opening business bank accounts and filing taxes. EINs are free and easy to obtain directly from the IRS.

As a bottled water provider selling products, you are legally required to furnish an EIN for state sales and excise tax reporting along with federal tax purposes. Follow this streamlined process:

First, have key details handy including your Social Security #, business name, addresses, and the exact format of your business entity (LLC, sole proprietorship, etc). Then simply visit IRS.gov and click “Apply Online Now” for instant EIN confirmation.

Answer a few identification questions about your company and owners through the user-friendly screens. Typically approval takes just 3-4 minutes for immediate access to your EIN. Print/screenshot the notice then add this essential number to your small business bookkeeping files.

There are no EIN application fees when processing directly through the IRS portal. However, some third-party services charging unnecessary fees appear in online searches, so double-check your land at IRS.gov to avoid scams.

With your federal EIN established, contact your state revenue department to formally register for sales tax collection needs relevant to bottled beverage distribution. Basic state registration costs around $50. You’ll need to file regular sales tax reports and payments later on based on taxable transaction volume. However, the EIN serves as the key business identifier throughout federal and state reporting.

6. Setup Your Accounting

Meticulous financial recordkeeping provides the foundation for commercial success and IRS compliance. For bottled water companies, accounting accuracy across production, inventory, sales, and expenses prevents costly errors that erode profitability. Software and professional guidance facilitate managing finances.

Accounting Software

Deploying small business accounting software like QuickBooks allows seamless syncing of bank/credit card transactions into relevant categories for easy tracking. Dashboards and reporting generate real-time visibility on profit drivers like production costs per bottle.

Inventory management integrates with bottling systems and warehouses to track usage. Sales tax calculations are also simplified by linking sales data. At around $25-50 monthly, automation delivers immense time and money savings over manual methods.

Hire an Accountant

Enlisting an accountant’s expertise provides additional quality control for bottlers through services like bookkeeping cleanup, payroll processing, quarterly sales tax filings, and custom reporting on key profit drivers. Expect costs between $200-$500 monthly.

Open a Business Bank Account

Fundamentally, separating finances avoids commingling personal and business transactions that trigger IRS red flags, unnecessary tax burdens, and disputes over who owns what assets. Establish dedicated accounts, cards, and documentation flowing through proper bottling company channels from day one.

Apply for a Business Credit Card

Applying for a small business credit card also makes tracking simpler with consistent monthly statements. Limits up to $100k get extended based on personal credit history and annual revenues. Have your EIN, contact details, and financial statements ready to complete the application.

7. Obtain Licenses and Permits

Before selling your first bottle, proper permissions must be obtained legally and safely operate. Find federal license information through the U.S. Small Business Administration . The SBA also offers a local search tool for state and city requirements.

Securing water rights represents the first hurdle but opens access to your primary raw material. Water rights permits apply whether bottling from freshwater springs or drilling wells. Fees vary but licensing confirms approved extraction volumes that regulators monitor to prevent aquifer depletion.

Relatedly, wetlands protections may mandate permits for pipelines traversing protected ecosystems near water access points. Wildlife impact studies and seasonal construction restrictions often apply. Allow 6-9 months for approval.

Food manufacturing permits from departments of health follow since bottled water gets classified as a food product. Annual inspections governed by strict codes for sanitation, purification standards, and production procedures ensure facilities meet GMP benchmarks. Violations risk suspended production and sales.

HACCP compliance takes safety further through hazard prevention plans that systematically mitigate risks like contamination. Develop thorough protocols then prove consistency through compliance audits. Achieving certification takes time but boosts retailer confidence.

Trademark registrations provide legal protections around branding assets like custom bottle packaging and labels that define companies. Register marks used in commerce with state and federal trademark offices. The process takes 6-9 months from application to certificate issuance but then lasts for years once granted. This guards against competitors mimicking your visual identity.

Evaluate zoning regulations when selecting bottling plant locations and warehouse space. Industrial activity permits may be required depending on protocols for chemical storage, noise, waste disposal, and utility demands. Build rapport with local officials early when identifying potential issues.

The path towards legally bottling and selling products has obstacles, from source licensing to safety codes across planning, facilities, and output. However due diligence in researching requirements, hiring specialized lawyers, and allotting sufficient lead time checks the right boxes for approval.

8. Get Business Insurance

Operating a bottled water business carries an array of risks that insurance helps mitigate, from minor equipment failures to catastrophic natural disasters. Policies shield owners against expenses that could otherwise cripple companies or trigger bankruptcy.

Imagine a production line bottleneck that delays a 50,000-unit order, forcing reimbursements to a major retailer. Or a storm flooding your warehouse with thousands of pallets destroyed. Even a visitor slipping on a wet floor could trigger a lawsuit exceeding $100k. Lacking proper coverage, these frequent mishaps could force closures.

General liability insurance protects against bodily injury, property damage, and associated legal claims by those harmed while on-premises or using products. Plans like Business Owner’s Policies (BOPs) bundle general liability with property/casualty coverage plus business interruption insurance to replace income lost from disasters.

Separate policies may cover vehicles, expensive equipment, or specialized risks like product recall expenses if contamination issues arise. Work with an independent insurance agent to review needs and obtain quotes. Expect reasonable plans to run a few thousand dollars annually.

The process begins by inventorying assets and ranking risk exposures. Provide details on properties, vehicles, equipment, staff, and revenue when getting quotes. Inquire about Renaissance Insurance programs for niche ventures. Then select a policy aligning with your risk appetite and premium budget. Pay annually or break payments into installable premiums.

9. Create an Office Space

An office provides a professional hub for bottled water operations – hosting meetings with suppliers, interfacing with quality inspectors, and signing major account contracts. It also houses equipment like printers and offers room for admin work. We’ll analyze options based on cost and functionality.

Home Office

Utilizing a home office makes sense initially through converting a spare bedroom for minimal expenditure – perhaps $100 for a desk and chair plus wifi and utilities. Meetings can occur but lack scale for more than 2-3 people. Still, this allows bootstrapping during early growth stages while establishing operations.

Coworking Office

For client presentations or investor pitches, coworking spaces like WeWork provide sleek meeting rooms with presentation tools for $25-50 per hour depending on extras like video conferencing needs. Some offer private offices starting around $300 monthly with flexible terms. No hassles over the internet, printing, or coffee either.

Warehouse Office

Seeking larger production facilities or warehouse spaces may include build-to-suit office additions averaging $100 per square foot for simple construction. Budget at least $3,000 for a basic 30′ x 20′ space. These integrate operations but don’t facilitate meetings with external parties.

Commercial Office

Over the longer term as staff expands, dedicating $2,000+/month for a traditional 800 sq ft office rental provides requisite space for 4-5 employees, storage needs, and conference rooms to host clients, inspectors, and partners. Expect interpreting services and administrative assistance included along with furnishings, internet, and janitorial with 3-5 year leasing contracts.

10. Source Your Equipment

Launching bottling operations requires production machinery for purification, washing, filling, and packaging. Buying new or used provides ownership, while rental and leases offer flexibility. We’ll explore options to access essential equipment.

Purchasing brand-new automated bottling equipment from manufacturers like Specialty Equipment enables customizing multi-stage systems from filtration to label applications tailored to output targets. Expect prices from $75,000 to $150,000+ for complete lines. Finance through equipment leasing if cash-strapped.

Buying used machinery cuts costs by 30-50% while still getting solid equipment. Vet condition, servicing records, and output rates when evaluating listings around $50,000. Factor in some reconditioning costs too.

Instead of buying equipment, leasing through an equipment finance company gains usage without major capital investments. These loans cover 80% at fixed monthly payments structured around project revenue timelines. Tax write-offs apply as with purchases.

Long-term leases spanning several years provide more flexible terms over rentals if planning to scale production substantially. The lessor assumes maintenance responsibility too. Expect roughly $5,000 monthly for a complete system.

11. Establish Your Brand Assets

Crafting a distinct brand identity sets bottled water ventures apart while conveying purity and quality promises. Professional branding assets prompt consumer awareness and preference to drive sales.

Get a Business Phone Number

Getting a unique business phone number using providers like RingCentral shows commitment beyond personal mobiles. Expect a local or toll-free number with call routing features like voicemail transcription for $30-50 monthly. This grants credibility when contacting suppliers, clients, and property managers.

Design a Logo

A polished logo acts as the lead brand ambassador applied to all touchpoints. Consider an abstract mark evoking droplets or a memorable illustrative icon to reference fresh springs. Brand system extensions like stationery, uniforms, and fleet branding create cohesion.

Services like Looka assist by providing full branding packages including a logo with alternate versions, a brand guide, social media assets, website graphics, and business card design from $149. This turnkey solution expedites the launch.

Print Business Cards

Ensuring sales reps and executives have professionally printed cards from Vistaprint lends further validation when meeting buyers, networking at trade events, or negotiating with vendors. Include essential contact and web details along with a descriptor like “Purveyors of Natural Spring Water”.

Obtain a Domain Name

Secure the business name as a .com domain for branding continuity and an online destination. Use .com over alternatives like .biz and include keywords like “water”. Namecheap runs under $15 annually for domains. Redirect it to a coming soon page until a full website launches.

Design a Website

Building that dedicated website as an online brochure explains the brand story, showcases products, and profiles company values. Utilize templates from Wix to DIY for $20-40 monthly. Or hire web developers on Fiverr to custom craft sites from $500. This digital footprint supports 24/7 sales enablement.

12. Join Associations and Groups

Tapping into local networks multiplies opportunities through camaraderie, elevated expertise, and partnerships. We’ll explore helpful associations, events, and online groups to enrich startups.

Local Associations

Joining a local chapter of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) guides safety regulations plus advocacy for the industry. Annual memberships start under $500. The Pennsylvania Bottled Water Association runs around $350 per year for in-state connectivity.

Local Meetups

Attend trade events like the Bottled Water Expo allowing networking with major equipment vendors and fellow bottlers. This fuels innovation through witnessing cutting-edge machinery first-hand while building strategic relationships. Use Meetup to find similar regional events.

Facebook Group

Facebook communities like Water Bottle Wholesale Buy or Sell provide forums to crowdsource advice on production techniques, quality assurance, equipment questions, and regulator relations from thousands nationally. Trusted answers result.

13. How to Market a Bottled Water Business

Implementing an integrated marketing strategy combines digital promotion and real-world outreach to exponentially expand bottled water visibility and sales. We’ll explore proven tactics to connect with more customers.

Personal Networking

Recognize existing friends and family as initial brand ambassadors to organically spread awareness through interactions and referrals. Incentivize sharing by providing discounts for referring new accounts that convert to loyal buyers.

Digital Marketing

• Digital channels then facilitate cost-efficient outreach and conversions at scale.
• Consider Google Ads campaigns geo-targeting local searchers of services like office water delivery or hotel amenities. Expect to pay $2-5 per click.
• Facebook and Instagram ads also allow laser-focus on demographics like health-conscious millennials. Budget $100 monthly testing each platform.
• Launching an email newsletter or SMS campaign nurtures leads by providing value-added content like infused water recipes and reuse ideas for empties.
• Automate messaging through providers like MailChimp with segmentation by buyer types.
• Getting seen by channel partners like retailers, hotels and offices often requires old-school direct mail and sales letter outreach.
• Create professional sell sheets extolling health safety certifications, community roots, and equipment investments as proof of quality and reliability.
• Target key accounts for incremental wholesale relationships.
• Hitting the streets with branded giveaways at local festivals, 5K runs, and wellness fairs raises awareness while making community connections.
• Tabling at these events markets both products and purpose.

For ongoing nurturing, launch a YouTube channel creating weekly content like quick recipes or reuse crafts using empties. Optimized video titles can rank highly in Search results. Encourage subscriber sign-ups.

Traditional Marketing

Traditional tactics still prove worthwhile:

• Print local paper coupons to counter big brand mass market domination
• Negotiate an endorsement from a celebrity or athlete with local ties
• Explore highway billboard visibility during seasonal road trips

An integrated methodology blending digital and real-world marketing sustains awareness and interest while optimizing budget efficiency. Analyze campaign performance to double down on what moves the needle most. Through multi-channel outreach, even tiny brands can make big ripples.

14. Focus on the Customer

Providing exceptional customer service cements bottled water loyalty even amid commodity competition. Experiences determine repurchasing and referrals, directly driving growth.

For delivery accounts like offices, ensure consistency through prompt arrivals within precise time windows to avoid work disruptions. Also follow up post-delivery to address spills, leakage issues, or mismatches between orders and receipts. These service touches feel personal despite routine transactions.

Likewise, for hospitality and events clients, customized branded water bottles make promotional activations feel special. Accommodating last-minute catering increases or flexible minimums wins you preferential vendor status. Consider also that you can sell your products to vending machine businesses or stores that utilize these machines to increase sales.

For individuals, promotional giveaways like reusable bottles help, but personal notes or birthday coupon mailers make bigger impressions with minimal effort.

Getting the product right earns business, but getting the service right gains loyalty even despite higher prices. This emotional equity triggers referrals – a satisfied gym owner raving about your flexibility prompts a restaurant owner to trial your services.

Bland brands risk commoditization where choice gets dictated by case price alone. But those providing memorable customer experiences create preferences worth paying more for. A premium for personalized service produces higher lifetime values.

Keep communicating, learn client priorities, correct issues quickly, and sprinkle in surprises to delight. Water may be simple, but customer service leaves lasting impressions that better-bottled water businesses bank on.

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How To Start A Bottled Water Company

• Last Updated: December 20, 2023
• By: StartUp 101

Advertising Disclosure

With billions of gallons sold yearly in the U.S. alone, bottled water is big business – and you can cash in by starting your own bottled water company. While there is enormous potential for this type of business, it isn’t easy to break into.

To help you get started, this guide will provide an overview of the industry and walk through the key steps to launch your own successful bottled water company.

Business Description

As a bottled water company, you will be processing and purifying water and then bottling it for resale to consumers. The most common types of water are purified water, spring water, naturally sparkling water, mineral water, and seltzer water, directly sourced from municipal supplies, underground springs, and wells.

The business makes money by selling bottled water on a retail or wholesale basis. The profit margins can be attractive, as the key input, water, is usually fairly low in cost. However, the main expenses in this business involve processing, packaging, and distribution, as well as compliance with health and safety regulations.

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Industry Summary

The bottled water industry in the United States is large and growing. Only 464 companies make up this industry, employing over 15,000 employees, and are expected to make $9 billion in 2023. 1 The three largest companies by sales in the US include BlueTriton Brands, Coca-Cola Company (Dasani), and PepsiCo (Aquafina). 2

Growth in this industry is driven by several factors. People are continually seeking healthier drink alternatives, and bottled water is seen as a preferable option to sugary sodas or juices. Plus, the convenience of bottled water is appreciated by consumers on the go.

In addition to large competitors, there are other challenges to confront in this industry. Notably, environmental concerns about plastic waste are becoming increasingly significant. The desire to reduce carbon footprints might drive some consumers towards other, more eco-friendly beverage choices.

Steps To Start A Bottled Water Business

Step 1:  write a business plan.

Before a single bottle is filled or sold, developing a strong business plan should be your first step to starting a bottled water company. The investment needed in this type of business can be quite large, not to mention the logistical complexity, so without careful upfront planning, it’s easy to make a costly mistake. Here are just a few of the main reasons why a business plan is so important, especially for a bottled water company.

To start, your business plan helps bring your vision for your bottled water company to life. In this plan, you set clear goals and decide how to achieve them. Setting a clear direction is very important when you’re in a business so tied to brand identity and what consumers prefer.

Next, the bottled water market is pretty competitive. To stand out, you need to understand what consumers want, what your competitors are doing, and where there’s room for someone new. Your business plan will include a careful study of the market, helping you create products that meet consumers’ needs and find your unique place in the industry.

Last, your business plan will need to cover the financial side of things in detail. You’ll need to spend on things like getting water, cleaning it, putting it in bottles, and getting those bottles to stores or customers. A business plan helps you figure out how much all this will cost. It also helps you think about where the money will come from, whether that’s your savings, loans, or investors. What’s more, if you’re hoping to get investment or a loan to help get your business off the ground, having a clear business plan is a must to show possible investors that your business has strong potential for growth and success.

Related:  How to write a business plan

Step 2:  Secure a Water Source

The next step in establishing your business is to secure a water source. It may seem like a simple task, but the quality and availability of the water source play an essential role in the success of your business. The water source is not just a supplier; it’s the heart of your bottled water business. The quality, taste, purity, and cost to treat your product depend on the source you choose. Consider volume, flow rate, natural mineral content, potential seasonal variability, and protection from contaminants when evaluating options.

Bottled water manufacturers typically source their water from protected underground springs, wells, and municipal supplies. Each of these offers its own benefits and challenges:

• Underground springs and wells: These sources are often preferred due to the high-quality water that they can provide. However, this quality can come with higher costs and stricter regulations.
• Municipal supplies: This option might be more economically friendly, but it can also mean that you’ll need to handle more water treatment yourself.

Beyond just finding a source, you’ll also need to consider the quality of the water that it can supply. Will it meet the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration? There may be unique requirements for bottling businesses. Carefully study these, as you will need to adhere to them for your business to be approved and run legally.

After identifying and evaluating a water source, the next step is to secure the rights to use it. Depending on the source’s location, this can involve negotiating with landowners, municipalities, or government agencies. Having a reliable source of water is important for your long-term success, so be sure to obtain the rights that allow for the volume of water extraction needed for your operations.

Finally, you’ll need to set up the necessary infrastructure to extract, transport, and store the water. This might involve drilling a well, installing pumps, and building storage tanks. You’ll also need to consider how to protect the water source from contamination.

Step 3:  Find Funding

Starting a bottled water business requires a significant investment, and this step is often challenging. Here are several common sources of funding that entrepreneurs can explore:

Personal investment : The first source of funding to consider is personal savings. This can include cash savings, retirement accounts, or other personal assets.

Bank loans : Banks and other financial institutions are a common source of funding and typically require borrowers to invest a minimum of 15% of their personal funds towards the total cost of the project, have a good credit score, and have sufficient collateral. If the bank needs additional security to back the loan, they can use a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantee.

Equipment financing : For bottled water companies, equipment is often one of the largest expenses. Equipment financing allows entrepreneurs to purchase necessary machinery without a large initial out-of-pocket investment.

Angel investors : Angel investors provide funding in exchange for equity in the business. In some cases, they can also offer valuable industry insights, which can be beneficial for navigating the bottled water market.

Related:  Finding the money to start a business

Step 4:  Register the Business

Starting a bottled water company involves several legal steps to ensure the business is properly registered and compliant with federal, state, and local bottled water regulations. Requirements will vary by location, but here is an overview:

Business structure: There are four main business structures to choose from, each with different implications legally and for taxes:

• Sole proprietorship: Simplest structure with no formal registration needed, but owners have unlimited personal liability.
• General partnership: This is also relatively easy to establish, but partners share unlimited personal liability.
• Corporation: A corporation is a separate legal entity that provides personal asset protection. However, it is more complex and costly to set up and maintain.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): An LLC combines the benefits of a corporation and a sole proprietorship or partnership. It provides personal asset protection and has fewer regulations than a corporation.

The most common structure for bottled water companies tends to be an LLC or a corporation due to their liability protection advantages.

Related: Comparison of business structures

Forming an LLC sounds complicated and expensive, but using an entity formation service guides you through the process so you know it was done right.

Some popular LLC formation services include:

IncFile  - $0 plus state fees & free registered agent for 1 year!

ZenBusiness  - Best for beginners. $0 plus state fees & free registered agent for 1 year!

Northwest  - Best privacy protection. $39 plus state fees & free registered agent for 1 year!

Business name registration: After registering the business structure, you may need to register your business name. This process will vary depending on what business structure you pick. Sole proprietors and partnerships will often be required to register a “Doing Business As” (DBA), while corporations and LLCs register with the state during the formation process.

During this time, it’s also a good idea to check if the name you want is available as a web domain, even if you’re not ready to set up a website yet.

Related: Finding a domain name for your business

Obtain business licenses and permits: Depending on your location, there will likely be a variety of general business registrations needed before opening. These could include a business license, seller’s permit, and Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Related: State guides for general business licensing

Compliance with federal and state regulations: There are several federal and state regulations to follow in this industry. These include:

• FDA regulations : Adhere to the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), standards of identity, and labeling requirements. The FDA ensures that bottled water companies meet federal standards for quality and safety. 3
• EPA regulations: Ensure your business complies with any environmental regulations, particularly if you’re sourcing water. This might involve the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), especially for companies using private or municipal water systems. 4
• State Department of Health requirements : Each state may have additional requirements for bottled water companies, often overseen by the state’s Department of Health.

The International Bottled Water Association provides a lot of resources on industry regulations.

Certifications: Consider obtaining certifications like the NSF seal of testing compliance. These certifications can add credibility to your product and reassure customers about the quality of your water. 5

Trademark protection: Trademarking your brand, including the company’s name and logo, protects your brand identity from being used without your permission and helps establish a unique presence in the market.

Step 5:  Set Up Operations

With funding in place and the business properly registered, the next step involves moving into the operational phase. This phase begins with the establishment of a processing facility, ideally situated close to the water source. The reason being that water is usually processed and sealed in safe drinking containers at the source. This can involve multi-barrier filtration methods and purification processes such as deionization, distillation, or reverse osmosis.

Next, map out an efficient bottling production line flow, including water treatment systems, conveyors, labeling machines, palletizing stations, inspection systems, and more. Proper equipment layout saves costs and ensures that the process is as efficient as possible.

Once your production line is in order, turn your attention to your suppliers and staff. These suppliers will provide the materials you need for your operations, including bottles, caps, and labels.

Finally, you’ll need to hire the right people to manage various aspects of your business. This includes workers to oversee the bottling process, maintain equipment, handle deliveries, and provide customer support.

Step 6: Set up Distribution Channels & Marketing

Starting a bottled water company is not just producing a quality product but also ensuring it reaches your customers effectively. The next step in this journey is establishing the distribution channels and creating a marketing strategy.

Before you can start selling your bottled water, a distribution plan is needed. There are a variety of distribution channels to consider, including direct sales, retail stores, restaurants, and vending machines. This plan will help you determine who you will sell to, how you will get your product to them, and where you will sell it. In it, consider factors such as packaging, transportation, storage, and delivery.

When developing your distribution plan, you will need to research the competition and evaluate the market demand for your product. You may also want to consider partnering with a distributor who can help you reach a wider audience. This can be especially helpful if you are new to the industry and don’t have existing relationships with retailers.

Once you have your distribution plan in place, you need to create a marketing strategy to promote your product. This will help you create a strong brand identity, build brand recognition, and drive sales. There are a variety of marketing channels to choose from, including digital, print, and outdoor advertising, as well as public relations and events.

Your marketing strategy should be tailored to your target market. You will need to identify who your customers are and where they are most likely to see and interact with your message. This may include social media platforms, local events, and trade shows. You will also need to consider your budget and create a marketing plan that is both effective and affordable.

Branding and packaging are two of the most important aspects of your bottled water business. Your brand identity should be memorable and unique while also communicating your company’s values and mission. Your packaging should also be visually appealing and functional, ensuring that your product stands out on store shelves.

When designing your brand identity and packaging, it can be helpful to work with a professional designer or branding agency. They can help you create a cohesive brand and visual identity that resonates with your target market. You may also want to consider sustainable packaging options to appeal to consumers who value environmental sustainability.

Your pricing strategy is also an important consideration in this phase. You will need to consider your production costs, distribution costs, and retail markups when setting your prices, in addition to evaluating the competition’s pricing and setting pricing that is competitive while also allowing for a reasonable profit margin.

Your pricing strategy should also be influenced by your marketing strategy. You may want to offer promotions or discounts to drive sales, or you may want to position your product as a premium offering that justifies a higher price point. It’s important to experiment with different pricing strategies to determine what works best for your business and your target market.

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Common Questions When Starting a Bottled Water Business

How much does it cost to start a bottled water business.

Starting a bottled water company can be a significant investment, with total startup costs ranging from $200,000 to over $750,000, based on the scale and specific requirements of your business. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Location: The most significant expense is securing a location for your processing facility. A facility could range from $100,000 to over $500,000.

Equipment: The next most substantial expense in starting a bottled water company is often the equipment. This includes water treatment systems, bottling machinery, conveyors, labeling machines, and quality control systems. A basic water treatment plant for mineral water production can cost around $25,000 to $150,000.

Vehicle fleet: A fleet of delivery vehicles is an essential part of your distribution network. You might expect to spend around $50,000 on two second-hand vehicles to start.

Business registration: The cost of business registration and permits varies by state and water source, but expect around $5,000.

Initial insurance costs: Initial insurance costs, covering liability and property insurance, can range from $2,000 to $5,000. This is crucial for protecting your business against potential risks.

Marketing: Up-front marketing and branding costs, such as designing a logo, creating a website, and launching an initial advertising campaign, might account for $20,000.

How profitable is a bottled water business?

Estimating the profitability of a bottled water company involves taking into account several key industry statistics, overhead, production costs, and potential sales revenue. For this analysis, let’s hypothetically consider a small bottled water company that has the capacity to produce 1 million bottles of water per year.

Determining our hypothetical company’s potential revenue involves understanding the standard wholesale price for bottled water, which can vary between $0.19 to $0.45 per bottle. 6 Let’s use a conservative estimate of $0.30 per bottle for a 500ml bottle of water. So, if our company sells all 1 million of its bottles, that results in a total sales revenue of $300,000.

However, achieving this revenue also depends on the expense of producing bottled water. Bottled water production costs can include the cost of water, purification, bottling, packaging, and labor. On average, let’s assume that these costs amount to around $0.12 per bottle. Therefore, the expense of producing 1 million bottles of water would be $120,000.

Additional costs such as marketing, distribution, office overhead, and other operating expenses also need to be accounted for. These costs can vary, but for argument’s sake, let’s assign a value of $100,000 for these expenses.

To calculate projected profit, we subtract total expenses from total revenue. In our scenario, the total revenue of $300,000 minus total expenses of $220,000 (production plus additional costs) equates to an estimated profit of $80,000 before tax.

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Bottled Water Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Starting a bottled water business can be an incredibly rewarding venture, offering potential for high profitability with relatively low startup costs. The #1 Bottled Water Business Plan Template & Guidebook will provide entrepreneurs with the step-by-step guidance they need to turn their dream of a thriving bottled water enterprise into a reality. Covering everything from market analysis to pricing and operations, this comprehensive resource will give aspiring business owners the confidence they need to launch and sustain success.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Bottled Water Business [11 Steps]

How to Write a Bottled Water Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your bottled water business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your bottled water business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a bottled water business:

Our mission at XYZ Bottled Water is to provide an easily accessible and sustainably sourced product that revitalizes our environment and improves the quality of life of those we serve. We strive to be a leader in the industry through our commitment to eco-friendly, responsibly sourced water and our focus on providing superior customer service. We are passionate about delivering a product that enhances our communities and is beneficial for both nature and consumers.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Bottled Water Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your bottled water business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your bottled water business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your bottled water business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your bottled water business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

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4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a bottled water business?

• Bottled Water Bottles
• Bottling Equipment
• Packaging Supplies
• Labeling Equipment
• Labels for Bottles
• Water Treatment Equipment
• State and Local Permits

5. Management & Organization of Your Bottled Water Business.

The second part of your bottled water business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your bottled water business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Bottled Water Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a bottled water business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a bottled water business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your bottled water business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your bottled water business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your bottled water business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bottled Water Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a bottled water business.

A business plan is an essential part of launching a bottled water business. It outlines your goals, investments, and strategies needed to reach success. With a well-developed plan, you can identify potential pitfalls and devise strategies to overcome them, while also measuring progress over time. Additionally, potential investors or other partners are more likely to take your project seriously if they can see that you have carefully planned it out.

Who should you ask for help with your bottled water business plan?

It is recommended to seek advice from a business consultant or a business advisor. These professionals can provide valuable insights about setting up a bottled water business, including developing comprehensive plans, understanding the industry standards and regulations, and maximizing profitability. Additionally, a lawyer may be consulted to ensure that all legal aspects are addressed.

Can you write a bottled water business plan yourself?

Yes, it is possible to write a bottled water business plan yourself. Writing a business plan involves researching the bottled water industry, creating financial projections, developing marketing plans, establishing operational procedures, researching potential competitors and much more. While it is possible to write a business plan without any help, it is often recommended to seek professional assistance in order to ensure that the plan is thorough and complete.

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Bottled Water Business Plan: License, Cost to Start, and Profits

Table of contents, understanding the licensing process for a bottled water business, exploring the costs involved in starting a bottled water business, analyzing the potential profits of a bottled water business, obtaining the necessary licenses and permits for a bottled water business, estimating the initial investment required to start a bottled water business, calculating the operational costs of running a bottled water business, identifying revenue streams and profit margins in the bottled water industry, assessing market demand and competition in the bottled water business, developing a marketing strategy for a bottled water business, evaluating growth opportunities and expansion potential in the bottled water market.

The bottled water business has been up for several years, with consumers prioritizing health, safety, and convenience. To get a clearer picture of the landscape of this industry, it’s crucial to grasp how much investment is needed to start a water bottle business. Simultaneously, understanding the costs and potential profits of the drinking water business can guide budding entrepreneurs in their quest.

This article dives deep into the bottled water business plan, answering pressing questions like how profitable is the bottled water business and how much it costs to start a bottled water company. Through insights into the licensing process and an overview of the purified water business plan, we aim to provide a comprehensive view of the bottled water business.

Bottled Water Business Plan

To ensure that the distributed water is safe for consumption, businesses must adhere to strict regulatory standards. Thus, a key part of any bottled water business plan is understanding and navigating the licensing process. Obtaining the necessary licenses ensures that the business meets the local, state, and sometimes even federal regulations. Licensing can involve multiple steps, such as water source approval, plant inspection, and adherence to labeling standards. It’s vital to research and fully understand the unique requirements of your location.

How much does it cost to start a drinking water business? The initial costs for starting a bottled water business can vary based on numerous factors. These factors include the source of water, the bottling process, branding, packaging, and distribution strategies. Launching a bottled water business requires an intricate understanding of various costs.

Initial expenses can range from $50,000 for small operations to over $1 million for larger ventures. These costs include purification systems, bottling machinery, and labeling machines. There’s also the expenditure on leasing or purchasing a facility, branding, and packaging designs. Additionally, regulatory approvals and licensing might add to the initial outlay, varying by jurisdiction and scale.

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Is the bottled water business profitable? The bottled water industry can be a gold mine when managed effectively. Considering that it might cost between $0.50 to $1.50 to produce a standard bottle of water and can be sold at retail prices of $1.50 to $3.00 or even higher for premium brands, the profit margins can be substantial. However, these figures can fluctuate based on factors like production efficiency, branding, distribution, and market positioning.

To legally operate, a bottled water business plan license costs to start, and profits should account for obtaining the necessary permits. These permits and licenses are not just a formality but an assurance of quality and safety to the consumers. Different jurisdictions have varying requirements.

For instance, some regions may require a business to have a water source permit, while others may necessitate periodic water quality testing. In some cases, environmental considerations might also ensure that the business’s operations do not harm the local ecosystem. It’s advisable to consult with local governmental agencies or industry experts to ensure that all legal requirements are met.

One of the most pressing concerns for potential business owners is how much investment is needed to start a water bottle business. The initial investment in a bottled water business largely correlates with the intended scale of operation. The startup capital might be between $50,000 to $150,000 for a small-scale business targeting local markets. In contrast, larger operations targeting national or international markets might require an investment ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million. This capital covers land acquisition, plant setup, machinery purchase, and initial operational and marketing activities.

Once the business is operational, recurring costs come into play. Monthly operational expenses might range from $10,000 for smaller setups to over $100,000 for extensive operations. These expenses encompass utility bills, salaries, raw materials, equipment maintenance, and logistics. Furthermore, there are costs related to marketing, quality assurance, and potential regulatory compliance checks, which, if not monitored, can significantly eat into the profit margins.

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Diverse revenue streams in the bottled water sector offer varied profit potentials. Standard bottled water might provide a profit margin of 30-50%, while premium or specialty variants, such as mineral-infused or flavored waters, can command margins upwards of 60-80%. Bulk sales to institutions, events, or custom branding opportunities also present different profit scenarios. Understanding and capitalizing on the most lucrative revenue streams can significantly enhance business profitability.

Before venturing into the bottled water business, it’s essential to assess the market demand. This involves understanding consumer preferences, such as whether there’s a lean towards flavored or mineral-infused waters. Equally vital is gauging competition. Who are the significant players? What niches are they filling, and where are there gaps in the market? A thorough market and competitor analysis can reveal opportunities, allowing a new business to position itself strategically by differentiating its offering or capturing an underserved market segment.

A robust marketing strategy can set a bottled water business apart from its competitors. Given the vast array of choices available to consumers, brand recognition and trust are paramount. To build this, businesses can employ a mix of traditional advertising, digital marketing, and public relations.

Leveraging social media, emphasizing the purity and source of the water, and perhaps aligning with health or fitness movements can resonate with consumers. Special promotions, partnerships with events or establishments, and customer loyalty programs can also increase visibility and sales.

Once a bottled water business is established and profitable, the next step is to assess growth opportunities. This can be geographical expansion, reaching out to new regions or countries, or diversifying the product range by introducing new flavors or functional water variants. Exploring B2B opportunities, such as supplying offices, hotels, or events, can be a lucrative avenue. It’s essential to conduct a detailed analysis of potential markets or products, considering the initial investment, operational complexities, and expected return before diving into expansion endeavors.

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The bottled water business offers diverse opportunities for entrepreneurs, but success hinges on thorough market analysis, strategic planning, and efficient execution. The right approach presents a lucrative avenue for sustainable growth and profitability.

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How to Write Bottled Water Business Plan? Guide & Template

In today’s health-conscious world, the demand for bottled water continues to surge. With an increasing focus on hydration and wellness, the bottled water industry presents a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs. However, success in this competitive market requires more than just a great product — it demands a well-thought-out business plan. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of creating a comprehensive bottled water business plan that sets the stage for success.

What is a Bottled Water Business Plan?

A bottled water business plan is a strategic document that outlines the objectives, strategies, and operational details of starting and running a bottled water venture. It serves as a roadmap, guiding entrepreneurs through the various stages of business development, from inception to profitability. A well-crafted business plan not only articulates the vision and mission of the company but also delineates the market analysis, financial projections, marketing strategies, and operational procedures.

Why do you need a business plan for a Bottled Water?

Clarity and Direction: A business plan provides clarity on the business goals and objectives, helping entrepreneurs stay focused and aligned with their vision.

Risk Mitigation: By conducting a thorough market analysis and financial forecast, a business plan enables entrepreneurs to identify potential risks and devise strategies to mitigate them.

Attracting Investors: Investors and lenders often require a comprehensive business plan before committing funds to a venture. A well-documented plan instills confidence in stakeholders and increases the likelihood of securing financing.

Operational Efficiency: A business plan outlines the operational procedures and workflow, facilitating smooth business operations and resource allocation.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Bottled Water Business?

Securing funding for a bottled water business requires a strategic approach and thorough preparation. Here are some avenues to explore:

Traditional Loans Approach banks and financial institutions for business loans. Investment Pitch Present your business plan to potential investors or venture capitalists. Crowdfunding Utilize online platforms to raise capital from a large pool of investors. Grants and Subsidies Explore government grants and subsidies available for small businesses in the beverage industry.

How to Write a Bottled Water Business Plan

Crafting a compelling business plan involves several key components:

Executive Summary: Concisely summarize the business concept, market opportunity, competitive advantage, and financial projections.

Market Analysis: Conduct thorough research on market trends, consumer preferences, competitor analysis, and potential target demographics.

Marketing Strategy: Define your brand positioning, pricing strategy, distribution channels, and promotional tactics to reach your target audience effectively.

Operational Plan: Outline the production process, supply chain management, quality control measures, and regulatory compliance procedures.

Financial Projections: Develop detailed financial forecasts, including revenue projections, expenses, cash flow statements, and break-even analysis.

Risk Management: Identify potential risks and challenges associated with the business and propose mitigation strategies.

Exit Strategy: Outline potential exit routes, such as selling the business or seeking acquisition, to provide clarity to investors.

Advantages of starting a Bottled Water Business

Lucrative Market: The global bottled water market continues to expand, driven by increasing health consciousness and urbanization.

Scalability: Bottled water businesses offer scalability opportunities, allowing entrepreneurs to expand operations regionally or globally.

Low Overhead Costs: Compared to other beverage businesses, bottled water production typically involves lower overhead costs and minimal equipment requirements.

Environmental Considerations: With the growing emphasis on sustainability, there is a rising demand for eco-friendly packaging and production methods, offering opportunities for differentiation.

In conclusion, a well-crafted bottled water business plan is essential for navigating the complexities of the beverage industry and achieving sustainable growth. By meticulously outlining your objectives, strategies, and financial projections, you can attract investors, mitigate risks, and capitalize on the burgeoning market demand for bottled water. Remember, success begins with a comprehensive plan that sets the foundation for your entrepreneurial journey.

Bottled Water Business Plan FAQs

Is bottled water business profitable?

Yes, bottled water can be a highly profitable business with strong and consistent consumer demand.

How do I write a water business plan?

A bottled water business plan should detail your product offerings, sales and marketing strategy, startup and operating costs projections, and expected profitability.

How much profit is made on a bottle of water?

The profit made per bottle of bottled water sold is typically 30–50% of the retail sale price.

How much does it cost to start a water brand?

The cost to start a new water brand usually ranges from about $100,000 to $400,000 initially including regulatory compliance, source certification, bottling equipment purchases and set up, branding and marketing investments.

Written by Ivan Smith

Hello, I'm Ivan Smith, a graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Currently, I'm actively engaged in practicing business plan writing.

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Start a Bottled Water Business

Turning the Tides of Entrepreneurship with a Bottled Water Business

BOTTLED WATER BUSINESS

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How to Start a Bottled Water Company

Starting a bottled water company can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success. Below you will learn the keys to launching a successful bottled water company.

Importantly, a critical step in starting a bottled water company is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here .

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

14 Steps To Start a Bottled Water Company :

• Choose the Name for Your Bottled Water Company
• Develop Your Bottled Water Company Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Bottled Water Company
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Bottled Water Company (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Bottled Water Company with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Bottled Water Company
• Buy or Lease the Right Bottled Water Company Equipment
• Develop Your Bottled Water Company Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Bottled Water Company
• Open for Business

1. Choose the Name for Your Bottled Water Company

The first step to starting a bottled water company is to choose your business’ name. 

This is a very important choice since your company name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your business. Ideally you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your own bottled water business:

• Make sure the name is available . Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
• Keep it simple . The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
• Think about marketing . Come up with a name that reflects the desired brand and/or focus of your water company.

2. Develop Your Bottled Water Company Business Plan

One of the most important steps in starting a water company is to develop your bottled water business plan . The process of creating your plan ensures that you fully understand your market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to funding sources to raise money for your business.

Your business plan should include the following sections:

• Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your bottled water business.
• Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your bottled water company and what type of bottled water company you operate. For example, are you a bottled water company that sells spring water, purified water, or mineral water.
• Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the bottled water market. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
• Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target market are and their demographics. For example, how old are they? Where do they live? What do they find important when purchasing products like the ones you will offer?
• Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
• Marketing Plan – your marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
• Product : Determine and document what products/services you will offer 
• Prices : Document the prices of your products/services
• Place : Where will your business be located and how will that location help you increase sales?
• Promotions : What promotional methods will you use to attract customers to your bottled water company? For example, you might decide to use pay-per-click advertising, public relations, search engine optimization and/or social media marketing.
• Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
• Management Team – this section details the background of your company’s management team.
• Financial Plan – finally, the financial plan answers questions including the following:
• What startup costs will you incur?
• How will your bottled water company make money?
• What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
• Do you need to raise funding to launch your business?

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3. choose the legal structure for your bottled water company.

Next you need to choose a legal structure for your bottled water company and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.

Below are the five most common legal structures:

1) Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the owner of the bottled water company and the business are the same legal person. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.

2) Partnerships

A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small businesses. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to open a bottled water company together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business. 

The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for a bottled water company include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.

4) C Corporation

A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for a bottled water company is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.

5) S Corporation

An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.

Once you register your bottled water company, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.

4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Bottled Water Company (If Needed)

In developing your bottled water company business plan , you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business. 

If so, the main sources of funding for a bottled water company to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in a bottled water company that they believe has high potential for growth.

5. Secure a Location for Your Business

There are a few things to consider when looking for a location for your bottled water company. Firstly, you’ll need to find a production and storage space that is big enough to store all of your bottles and equipment. If you’re bottling spring water, you’ll also want to find a location that has easy access to a spring. For most other water types, you will need enough land to drill a well, unless you plan to enhance public tap water. Additionally, you’ll want to choose a space that is close to a transportation hub, so you can easily distribute bottled water.

Once you’ve found the perfect location for your bottled water company, there are a few things to consider when designing your space. You will need a substantial amount of room for the machinery involved in bottling water. It’s also a good idea to include a room dedicated to shipping and receiving.

6. Register Your Bottled Water Company with the IRS

Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.

Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

It is important to establish a bank account in your bottled water company’s name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:

• Identify and contact the bank you want to use
• Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
• Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
• Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them

8. Get a Business Credit Card

You should get a business credit card for your bottled water company to help you separate personal and business expenses.

You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.

When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your business. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.

9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits

The licenses and permits you need to launch a bottled water company will vary depending on your location. However, some common licenses and permits include a business license, a license from the FDA, and a permit from your state health department. Make sure to research the specific licenses and permits required for your business, and contact your local government agency for more information.

10. Get Business Insurance for Your Bottled Water Company

The type of insurance you need to operate a bottled water company will vary depending on the state in which you reside.

Types of business insurance policies that you should consider for your bottled water company include:

• General liability insurance : This covers accidents and injuries that occur on your property. 
• Product liability insurance : This covers any medical expenses or damages incurred from a defective product.
• Workers’ compensation insurance : If you have employees, this type of policy works with your general liability policy to protect against workplace injuries and accidents. It also covers medical expenses and lost wages.

Find an insurance agent, tell them about your business and its needs, and they will recommend policies that fit those needs. 

11. Buy or Lease the Right Bottled Water Company Equipment

To launch a bottled water company, you will need:

• Bottled water production equipment (storage tanks, filling machines, water treatment machines, filters, conveyors, sealers, water sterilizers, water dispensers)
• A water source
• Bottles and caps for packaging
• Bottled water labels
• A truck or van to distribute the bottled water to retailers and clients

12. Develop Your Bottled Water Company Marketing Materials

Marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your bottled water company.

The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:

• Logo : Spend some time developing a good logo for your bottled water company. Your logo will be printed on company stationery, business cards, marketing materials and so forth. The right logo can increase customer trust and awareness of your brand.
• Website : Likewise, a professional bottled water company website provides potential customers with information about the products you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your website will affect how customers perceive you.
• Social Media Accounts : establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media networks will help customers and others find and interact with your bottled water company.

13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Bottled Water Company

The software you need to run a bottled water company is: 

• A Point of Sale System
• A Bottling Management System 
• An Inventory Management System
• A Delivery Management System

14. Open for Business

You are now ready to open your bottled water company. If you followed the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful bottled water business. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you with how to start a spring water business.

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With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

How to Start a Bottled Water Company FAQs

Where can i download a bottled water business plan pdf.

You can download our Bottled Water business plan PDF  here. This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

Is it hard to start a bottled water company?

Starting a bottled water company is not hard but it does take some effort and planning. The most important part is making sure you have a good product that people will want to buy.

How can I start a bottled water company with no experience?

There are a few ways that you can open a water bottling plant with no experience. You can start by researching the bottled water industry and learning about the different types of water that are available, the production process, and the marketing and distribution channels that are used in the industry.  You can also research the different ways that you can get your bottled water into stores and learn about similar companies to find out what works best in your area. By getting a few years of experience under your belt before starting a bottled water company, you will be able to avoid making some common mistakes during this time in order to save money.

What type of bottled water company is most profitable?

The most profitable bottled water company is the one that can provide the best quality of water at a low price. At present, natural spring water is the most popular and profitable type of bottled water.

How much does it cost to start a bottled water company?

The cost of starting a bottled water company can range from $500,000 to $1.5 million, depending on the size and type of company you want to start. Some costs involved in this business are facility cost, label design and purchase, water testing, water treatment machines , marketing materials, transportation costs of the product to distributors or retailers.

What are the ongoing expenses for a bottled water company?

The ongoing expenses for a bottled water company typically include the cost of bottles, labels, labor, and shipping. Further, the cost of maintenance on your water treatment machines can be high. The cost of warehousing or transportation may also be incorporated into the ongoing expenses calculation.

How does a bottled water company make money?

A water bottling company makes money by charging a premium for their product. The cost of water is often lower than the cost of producing and delivering the water, so companies can make a profit by charging more for bottled water than it costs to produce. Additionally, bottled water businesses can also sell advertising space on their bottles, which brings in additional revenue.

Is owning a bottled water company profitable?

Yes, bottled water businesses are profitable, but the profit margins vary depending on the company. The main benefit of owning a bottled water company is that the product is not perishable, so it can be stored and sold for a higher price than other types of drinks. People are increasingly choosing to drink water from bottles over tap water. This is due in part to the perception that bottled water is healthy drinking water , but also because of the many different flavors and brands of bottled water available.

Why do bottled water companies fail?

Bottled water companies fail because of the high price of the product and the environmental concerns associated with it. Some bottled water plants also fail because they are unable to convince the public that their product is worth the price.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

How to Start a Small Water Bottle Business

• Small Business
• Setting Up a New Business
• Steps for Starting a Small Business
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How to Start a Spring Water Business

How to run a cast concrete business, how to set up a natural spring bottling company.

• How to Start a Wholesale Pecan Business
• How to Start a Barbeque Business

Water business ideas include producing and selling bottled water in small or large containers, working as a distributor for a larger producer, or providing water delivery services. Consumers like bottled water because the bottles are pre-filled and easy to grab, pack and transport. According to the job experts on LinkedIn , the water bottle business profit margin is adequate, and you can start a business with a moderate investment.

How to Start a Bottled Water Business

There are approximately 565 licensed bottled water distributors and producers in the U.S., and the industry is steadily growing. The writers at Entrepreneurship in a Box explain that the best way to open a water bottle company is to buy a franchise or another bottled water business. If you find resources like those provided by Dealstream , you'll see that this investment can cost millions of dollars. Most people don't have that money to invest, so starting small is a more realistic option.

Competition requires market research to learn about demographics and narrow down a target audience. There are not a lot of niches in this industry since water needs to meet international standards. Still, you will find flavored, sparkling, distilled, custom-sized and pH-modified bottled water. The industry is heavily regulated to make it safe for human and animal consumption. You must either buy FDA-approved water purification technology or partner with a private label supplier.

Bottled Water Business Plan

The Tan Do Beverage website explains that it is possible to start a small bottled water company as a distribution affiliate for a prominent brand for $1,000 to $5,000. This path is an excellent way to learn about production, storage and distribution needs. Another option is to work with a private label bottled water brand. You need $50,000 or more and a strategy for success to start up your own company.

The business experts at Growthink detail a bottled water business plan to use as a guide. The plan includes an executive summary, type of bottled water, and analyses of the industry, potential customers and competition. You also need to develop a marketing campaign and an operations plan that looks at startup costs, everyday processes and long-term objectives. Other components of this business model include a financial plan and income statements. Download the website's bottled water business plan PDF for help with all this.

How to Sell Your Own Bottled Water Brand

The writers at Farmers Weekly explain that entrepreneurs can sell bottled water or their own natural mineral water or spring water. Natural mineral water has to be from a named groundwater source, of suitable quality, and be chemically stable. Spring water has to meet similar standards, but you likely need to treat it to meet regulatory requirements. Either option is then packaged into small glass bottles, cans, or plastic bottles.

Water must be bottled at the source, so you need to purchase or rent the appropriate extraction and bottling equipment. Local authorities partner with you during the process to ensure that strict safety guidelines are followed. The cost estimates for setting up a water source infrastructure, bottling plant, equipment and labeling is well over two million dollars, with added costs for transportation, staffing and marketing.

• LinkedIn: How Lucrative Is Bottled Water Business?
• Entrepreneurship in a Box: How to Start a Bottled Water Business
• Dealstream: Bottled Water Businesses for Sale
• Tan Do Beverage: How to Start a Bottled Water Company in 2021
• Growthink: Bottled Water Business Plan Template
• Farmer's Weekly: So You Want to Sell Bottled Water?

Danielle Smyth is a writer and content marketer from upstate New York. She has been writing on business-related topics for nearly 10 years. She owns her own content marketing agency, Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing, and she works with a number of small businesses to develop B2B content for their websites, social media accounts, and marketing materials. In addition to this content, she has written business-related articles for sites like Sweet Frivolity, Alliance Worldwide Investigative Group, Bloom Co and Spent.

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Bottled Water Company Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Bottled Water Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Bottled Water business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Bottled Water businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Bottled Water business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is a startup bottled water company located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The company is founded by Eileen Dursten, a local landowner with a series of fresh waterfalls and streams located on her thirty-acre property just outside the city of Knoxville. Eileen has been studying the concept of providing bottled water from an acceptable source of freshwater for some years. She recently had the water in three streams on her property tested for bacteria and parasitic evidence, and received a report that the water was highly-potable and acceptable for bottling. With this information, she’s decided to move forward to build the necessary infrastructure and office area to start her bottled water business.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will provide a unique, fresh and local source of water within each bottle, made especially for the communities within the Knoxville area. The brand name will become synonymous with “clean, crisp notes of the mountains” and it will be a distinctive product for consumers to purchase. ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be the ultimate choice in Knoxville for fresh bottled water, while also offering the best pricing for local water in Knoxville.

Product Offering

The following are the products that ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will provide:

• Bottled water in consumer-sized containers: 12 ounce, 16 ounce and 24 ounce.
• Bottled water in 5-gallon and 7-gallon drum sizes to fit water dispensing machines.
• Flavored water (watermelon, peach, apple, lemon, and lime) in 16 ounce bottles.
• Carbonated water in 12 ounce, 16 ounce and 24 ounce sizes.

Customer Focus

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will target all individuals within the greater Knoxville area and surrounding communities. In addition, they will also target companies who use water dispensing systems. They will also target party planners and event coordinators who will want large quantities of specialty water or custom-made belly bands on the bottles for weddings, anniversaries, etc. ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is committed to serving every customer in the best way possible, meeting requests for customized bottles or simply one bottle of water with courtesy.

Management Team

RiverClear Bottled Water Company will be owned and operated by Eileen Dursten, who will take the role of President. She has recruited John Matheson, a Senior Engineer, from the Jacksonville, Florida company, SwampWater, LLC.

John created the SwampWater brand and developed the water treatment and bottling systems to the 6M business it is today. He initiated robotic labeling and packaging in 2017 and has been at the forefront of business trends throughout his entire career of twenty-five years at SwampWater, LLC.

John’s role will be Senior Engineer and Vice President of the company. He is eager to be back in the Knoxville area, where his family resides, and is also eager to create another success with RiverClear Bottled Water.

Success Factors

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified team at ClearRiver Bottled Water Company.
• Faultless system for treating and clarifying the pure local water of Knoxville prior to bottling.
• Unique flavoring and/or carbonation processes added to the product line that will appeal to all ages.
• Unique aspect of fresh water from the immediate area, as a “taste of home” product.
• ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will offer the best pricing in Knoxville for bottled water in comparison to other offerings. The customer, no matter whether a small concern or a large business, will receive modest pricing for superior products.

Financial Highlights

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its ClearRiver Bottled Water Company. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and marketing costs. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office space build-out: $20,000
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph outlines the financial projections for ClearRiver Bottled Water Company.

Company Overview

Who is clearriver bottled water company.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is a newly established full-service water bottling company located in Knoxville, Tennessee. ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be the most reliable, cost-effective, and efficient choice for bottled water in the city of Knoxville and the surrounding communities. ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will provide a comprehensive menu of pure local water, flavored waters, and carbonated water products for any customer to utilize. Their full-service approach includes a free water-tasting event in their bottling facility for those who would like to tour the bottling plant.

  Eileen Dursten and John Matheson will be able to provide a variety of bottled water for the residents and visitors of Knoxville. The team of professionals are highly qualified and experienced in water purification, bottling and marketing. ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is the perfect solution for those customers seeking the crisp, clear water that comes from natural streams within their local area. The best customer service will accompany that water, ensuring a seamless experience for all customers.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company History

Since incorporation, ClearRiver Bottled Water Company has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered ClearRiver Bottled Water Company, LLC to transact business in the state of Tennessee.
• Has a contract in place at one of the office buildings, where Eileen Dursten will manage the staff within the 10,000 square foot office space.
• Reached out to numerous contacts to include RiverClear Bottled Water at corporate and private party events, in addition to distribution at grocery stores and convenience shops throughout the regional area.
• Began recruiting a staff of four employees for the bottling plant and 2 office personnel to handle filing, scheduling and mitigating errors.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company Services

The following will be the services ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will provide:

Industry Analysis

• The bottled water industry is expected to grow over the next five years to over $12 billion in 2030.
• The growth will be driven by consumer demand for clean, notably pure and reliable water sources.
• The growth will be driven by the need for safe water in areas where unsafe water is often consumed, leading to illnesses.
• The growth will be driven by the demand of consumers seeking flavored and carbonated waters in lieu of sugary sodas and fruit juices.
• Costs will likely be reduced as prices are lowered for bottling processes through the use of robotics and other time-and-space saving bottling techniques.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will target individuals, companies, event planners, and party coordinators in Knoxville, Tennessee. They will target associations and city and state governmental entities who will want products that originate in the city or state.

Customer Segmentation

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• They will target all individuals within the greater Knoxville area and surrounding communities.
• They will target companies who use water dispensing systems.
• They will target party planners and event coordinators who will want large quantities of specialty water or custom-made belly bands on the bottles for weddings, anniversaries, etc.
• They will target every customer, whether a small shop or a large enterprise and serve every customer with courtesy.

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Crystal Water Company

The Crystal Water Company, a direct competitor, is owned by a conglomerate, S & H Products, located in Dallas, Texas. Crystal Water is produced in Texas, bottled, and shipped to national distribution centers for delivery to individual chain markets, such as Walmart, Target, Safeway, and other companies that sell bottled water. Distribution is approximately 11 million bottles of water shipped monthly. The water is labeled as “pure” and carries no flavor or carbonation.

The S & H Products Company is owned and operated by the Stewart and Hart Family Trust, which has been in existence for over 75 years, selling and bottled water from a water purification system located on the family ranch.

Naturally Sweet Sparkling Water Company

The Naturally Sweet Sparkling Water Company is a direct competitor, in that the company bottles and ships water throughout Tennessee and surrounding areas. The water is carbonated, sweetened with a sugar product, and flavored artificially. No claims are made of “pure” or “local” water being used in the making of the bottled waters.

The Naturally Sweet Sparkling Water Company is owned by Hugh Grover, a businessman who started a grocery outlet in 1990 and saw the opportunity to move into bottled sparkling water when parents began to complain that their children were drinking too much soda. Hugh played with water flavors and carbonation levels until he found the perfect fit, then brought in a bottling company to replicate his efforts. His company targets individuals, companies, and private party planners across the state of Tennessee.

Grover’s Back Road Water

Grover’s Back Road Water was started in Tennessee in 1973 by Arnie Grover, a farmer who held thirty acres of prime dark dirt and planted it all in sweet corn and tobacco. Arnie saw the potential to add products to his farm sales; he developed an earthy water to replicate the very dark water of the farming communities in the Tennessee areas. Arnie targets young adults and older adults who favor unusual tastes and water that is reminiscent of old farmhouse water systems. Grover’s Back Road Water is found in bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and convenience stores within the outlying communities of Knoxville and is sold in single 16-ounce bottle sizes only. It is an “acquired taste” and consumers are often split on whether or not the earthy-flavored water is exceptional or not. The company has developed plans to increase production and introduce new flavors of water, but has not done so as yet.

Competitive Advantage

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Highly-qualified team of skilled employees who are able to provide a comprehensive menu of bottled waters, including flavored waters and carbonated waters.
• Fresh, pure water from local streams that is purified, filtered and bottled under the best conditions.
• Packaged and presented to appeal to all consumers.
• Pricing that is modest and lower than national brands of water.
• A “made at home” feel and look to the bottled water.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is as follows:

Social Media Marketing

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will use social media contacts provided by friends, family and local contacts to assist in sharing news about the launch of ClearRiver Bottled Water Company. The announcements will include free “water-tasting” parties at local malls and discounts on bottled water when the ClearRiver Bottled Water Truck is parked in the central area of Knoxville and offering giveaway prizes.

Professional Associations and Networking

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will join associations and community groups to network and build relationships with area companies in Knoxville. Both Eileen Dursten and John Matheson will join groups and work to secure contracts for events or large-quantity orders.

Print Advertising

One week prior to the launch of ClearRiver Bottled Water Company, every home in Knoxville will receive a direct mail offer, including a discount on bottled water and an invitation to attend a free tasting in the Knoxville city square. Prizes will be distributed at that event to celebrate the launch.

Website/SEO Marketing

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will utilize a website that is well-organized, informative, and complete. It will list all the services that ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is able to provide. The website will also list the contact information and the places where the bottled water can be purchased. SEO marketing tactics will be utilized so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “bottled water company” or “bottled water near me”, ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive excellent value when purchasing their services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for ClearRiver Bottled Water Company. Operation Functions:

• RiverClear Bottled Water Company is owned by Eileen Dursten, who will take the role of President. She will develop relationships with large accounts and work on product development with John Matheson.
• Eileen Dursten has recruited John Matheson, a Senior Engineer, from the Jacksonville, Florida company, SwampWater, LLC. John’s role will be Senior Engineer and Vice President of the company. John will oversee all water purification and treatment processes in addition to developing new products and managing staff members.
• Rocky Anderson will be the Operations & Maintenance Director for the facilities and the office. He will lead a team of two staff members who will clean, prepare, assist in filtration and other duties as assigned.
• Pamela Nygard will be the Office Manager, overseeing systems, scheduling and handling staff matters.

Milestones:

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 5/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease office space
• 5/15/202X – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the ClearRiver Bottled Water Company
• 6/1/202X – Finalize distributor contracts for ClearRiver Bottled Water Company
• 6/15/202X – Begin networking at industry events
• – Begin moving into ClearRiver Bottled Water Company office
• – ClearRiver Bottled Water Company opens its office for business

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be owned and operated by Eileen Dursten. She recruited John Matheson, a former Senior Engineer, from the Jacksonville, Florida company, SwampWater, LLC.

Eileen Dursten, a local landowner with a series of fresh waterfalls and streams located on her thirty-acre property just outside the city of Knoxville. Eileen has been studying the concept of providing bottled water from an acceptable source of freshwater for some years. She recently had the water in three streams on her property tested for bacteria and parasitic evidence, and received a report that the water was highly-potable and acceptable for bottling. With this information, she’s decided to move forward to build the necessary infrastructure and office area to start her bottled water business.

John’s role will be Senior Engineer and Vice President of the company. John will oversee all water purification and treatment processes in addition to developing new products and managing staff members.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for ClearRiver Bottled Water Company are the fees they will charge to the customers for their products.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff the company office. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, office supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its bottled water company..The funding will be dedicated towards securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and association memberships. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of Customers Per Month: 600 (30 corporate; 570 single-unit)
• Average Fees per Month: $27,000
• Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement.

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Bottled Water Business Plan FAQs

What is a bottled water company business plan.

A bottled water company business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your bottled water business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Bottled Water Company business plan using our Bottled Water Company Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Bottled Water Companies? 

There are a number of different kinds of bottled water companies , some examples include: Purified or Distilled bottled water, Sparkling bottled water, and Alkaline bottled waters.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Bottled Water Company?

Bottled Water companies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Bottled Water Company?

Starting a bottled water company can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Bottled Water Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed bottled water business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your bottled water business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your bottled water business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Bottled Water Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your bottled water business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your bottled water business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Bottled Water Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your bottled water business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your bottled water business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful bottled water company:

• How to Start a Bottled Water Company

Bottled Water Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Bottled Water Business Plan Template

If you want to start a Bottled Water business or expand your current Bottled Water business, you need a business plan.

The following Bottled Water business plan template gives you the key elements to include in a winning Bottled Water business plan.

You can download our business plan template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Below are links to each of the key sections of your Bottled Water business plan: I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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Bottled Water Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

Starting Bottled Water Business Plan (PDF)

The bottled water business industry has been steadily growing all across the world. This is due to a plethora of reasons which vary from place to place. For instance, big beverage companies have diversified into bottled water as one of their products over the years. Due to their wide reach it means bottled water has increasingly become more available than ever before. In some parts of the world the surge in mineral water businesses has been triggered by lack of access to clean and reliable water. Thus for drinking purposes or other related uses people there now prefer to use bottled water. Another interesting factor is global warming which has seen temperatures getting much higher in most parts of the world. This has resulted in the increased demand for commercially produced mineral water. Bottled water offers convenience and tends to taste better. Plus there is general perception that bottled water is safer. That is why starting a bottled water business can pay off immensely. All this is meant to show you that starting a bottled water business is a noble idea. This article will outline how to start a bottled water business, and the bottled water business plan (PDF, Word & Excel).

Market Research

The most important aspect you will look at here is finding out about existing players to draw insights from them. The market for bottled water is usually available anywhere but it is important to know of any competitors beforehand. Your focus will be to learn how they conduct their businesses paying particular attention to scale of operation, water sources, processing methods, target clients, pricing, marketing approaches and so on. Knowing these things will be central to your ultimate unique selling point. Things like packaging and pricing can put you over your competitors if well considered. As much as many players already exist and more are entering the bottled water business field, there is always a market segment that is unattended or insufficiently attended. Thus it essential to have a detailed mineral water business before you start.

Location, Premises And Equipment

In your choice of location of the purified water business, there are some considerations that you should make. Since any bottled water business entails the need to have a seamless distribution framework, it is a factor to consider. This means you must chose a location connected to strategic road networks for easy accessibility to clients and suppliers and the ultimate distribution of the bottled water. How secure is the location you are choosing – that is another important factor to consider. What about availability of water supply? Proximity to prospective clients, suppliers and human resources is also very vital. The mineral water business plan should include the costs of purchasing or leasing the premises.

The core thing you must work on from the onset is a water treatment plant. Some of the basic inclusions are bottling machines, filling machines, purification and treatment machines, labelling machines and a water source eg a borehole. The specific equipment you need will depend on the water purification methods you are going to use for your business. For example if you decide to purify water using reverse osmosis, that means you will require reverse osmosis machinery. Water storage tanks are also required. The costs of all the equipment should be catered for in your purified water business plan.

Types Of Bottled Water

There are different types of bottled water. In fact, there is still an evolution that is leading to the emergence of new types of bottled water. Your bottled water business plan should outline the type of water you are selling.

Mineral Water

This is water comprising of substantial amounts of dissolved minerals. Some of those minerals are calcium, sodium, and magnesium. Typically the water would have also gone through certain processes such as aeration or filtration. Note that there are strictly no chemical processes involved here. This water would have been sourced from some underground source. There must be ascertained and provable pollution-free qualities regarding the source. Most importantly, the water must have certain stipulated minerals in certain prescribed concentrations. That is what can earn it the label of ‘mineral water’.

Spring Water

This is water that would have been sourced from a spring. It is important to note that most of what is termed spring water is not from springs. It is usually a marketing gimmick and the water is often just tap water. Thus if you are going to sell spring water it must truly be from a spring. People often use ‘mineral water’ and ‘spring water’ interchangeably. This is because there are some similarities. Often time the distinction is that spring water is specifically sourced from a spring.

Purified Water

This is water that would have undergone a number of purification processes. These purification processes will be meant to get rid of chemical and solid contaminants. The original source of the water can be tap water or ground water. The common purification processes involved are filtration, reverse osmosis, and distillation, amongst others.

Sparkling Water

This can also be called soda water; it is also known as carbonated water. When you drink it feels as if you are drinking a fizzy drink. That is why some call it fizzy water. It is also commonly known as club soda. Sparkling water is a result of infusing water with carbon dioxide under pressure.

Flavoured Water

This is water that would have had natural or artificial flavors added to it. The flavors can be added as one or as a blend of several flavors. They are usually fruit flavors e.g. lemon, lime, orange, raspberry, mint, and blackberry, amongst others.

Staff And Management

This depends on the scale of operations and level of sophistication of your purified water business. Anything from 6 employees going up will do for a small-scale factory. The idea is there are pertinent areas that needed to be manned e.g. management, production, financial management, sales, distribution, and housekeeping amongst other areas. Your bottled water business plan should cater for the wages and employees of all your employees.

Customer Segmentation

Primary usage.

Customer segmentation for the bottled water production business is informed by several variables. For example, the primary usage of the bottled water can give an idea. Bottled water can be for everyday use, it can be sporting use, or it can be travel. These examples translate into customers segments with specific needs or preferences.

Type Of Bottled Water

Customer segments are also a function of the type of bottled water in question. For instance, in many places the most consumed type of bottled water is purified water. Consumption dynamics for the different types of bottled water helps you understand the customer segments.

Distribution Channel

People purchase their bottled water from different outlets. Maybe they purchase from supermarkets or shops. Zoning in on one you can know whether or not they buy in bulk. There will be much to learn about customer segments by looking into the various distribution channels.

Marketing Plan

Bottled water is the easiest to market. You just have to ensure your bottled water is properly branded. The best marketing strategy is to get your bottled water in front of as many people as possible. Avail it to commercial buildings, have it used at all sorts of events. You can target hospitality and catering outlets. Target wellness and fitness centres. Sporting events are also a strategic focus. Find ways to sell your purified water there or promote it through those locations. Sponsor worthy causes by donating free bottled water. Have it sold in supermarkets and shops. Consider traders especially street vendors, where applicable. These people can push your mineral water brand faster, far, and wide. In principle, have a wide distribution network so that people see your bottled water brand everywhere. Consider working with social media influencers and even celebrities if possible. Build a website and have active social media accounts to publicize your bottled water brand. Leverage on print and electronic media as well. A proper marketing strategy should be included in your bottled water business plan.

Approaches For Bottled Water Business

Regarding bottled water there two types of service providers, namely, large-scale and small or medium scale. The large scale ones tend to be companies already established like Coca Cola as an example. This can be an approach to take i.e. starting large-scale but this is not a smart move because it is costly. Most preferably you must start small or medium scale by targeting reasonably-sized markets e.g. small towns. Then depending on the performance of the bottled water business you scale up operations in due course. In order to push sales there is a unique strategy one can use for their bottled water. You can always have an eye out for big events such entertainment or corporate events. You go ahead and pitch up an idea to supply them with custom-labelled bottled water. Many people will jump onto that since it would give an exclusive flare to an event. In terms of sales you can also enter working agreements with big clients such as food outlets, hospitality spots (e.g. hotels, spars) and so on. This will be strategic in that you guarantee a steady and consistent flow of repeat purchases.

Do not be hesitant to start a mineral water business because it is not that difficult to start one. The demand for bottled water is very high and will always be so you can always carve out your own niche. Just adhere to strict codes of quality assurance and integrity – do not be one of those frauds who package unsafe water as bottled water yet it is neither treated nor purified. It is wise to take insurance cover and to make sure you have all the required certification or licenses that might be mandatory. Find out about this from local authorities, health inspection boards, environmental agencies and the like. Packaging and pricing are crucial but to top it off you must have a robust and active marketing strategy using all available channels.

Pre-Written Bottled Water Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel): Comprehensive Version, Short Funding/Bank Loan Version and Automated Financial Statements

For an in-depth analysis of the bottled water manufacturing business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive bottled water business plan. We introduced the business plans after discovering that many were venturing into the purified water business without enough knowledge and understanding of how to run the business, lack of understanding of the financial side of the business, lack of understanding of : the industry, the risks involved , costs and profitability of the business; which often leads to disastrous losses.

The StartupBiz Global mineral water business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run your water bottling plant business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. This is a complete business plan for a packaged water business. It will be easier to plan and budget as you will be aware of all the costs involved in setting up and running the purified water business.

Uses of the Mineral Water Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The bottled water business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your bottled water business
• As a mineral water business proposal
• Assessing profitability of the bottled water business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

Contents of the Bottled Water Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The business plan for purified water includes, but not limited to:

• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortization)
• Industry Analysis
• Market Analysis
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some people in the bottled water business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your bottled water business

The purified water business plan package consists of 4 files

• Bottled Water Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive Version – 101 Pages)
• Bottled Water Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive Version – 101 Pages)
• Bottled Water Business Plan Funding/Bank Loan Version- Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan/funding – 48 pages)
• Bottled Water Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel File)

The business plan can be used in any country and can be easily edited. The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the costs, salaries etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change. 

Click below to download the Contents Page of the Bottled Water Business Plan (PDF)

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Get the Bottled Water Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

Click Buy Now  below to purchase using Paypal, Credit Card, or Debit Card. After you have purchased, you will immediately see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. You will also immediately get an email with the business plan download link. The Pre-written business plan package (PDF, Word, and Excel) costs $30 only!

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once then click here: Business Plans Store.

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

We wish you the best in your bottled water business! Check out our collection of business plans  , and more business ideas .

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Water Purification and Bottling Business Plan Template

Published Mar.14, 2022

Updated Apr.24, 2024

By: Jakub Babkins

Average rating 4.5 / 5. Vote count: 2

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Table of Content

Water purification and bottling business plan for starting your own business

Bottled water is one commodity consumed in all parts of the world, and of course, those in the business of producing bottled water are known to generate sales all year round if the company is well-managed. The economic downturn hardly affects the consumption of bottled water simply because it is a commodity that is as important as the air we breathe.

Production companies in the bottled water industry purify bottled water into plastic and glass bottles for consumption. The process involves use of a comprehensive business plan for bottled water and detailed franchise business planning .

If you plan on having a water purification and bottling business of your own, here is a purified drinking water business plan developed for Aqua Dreams. If you are confused about how to start a packaged drinking water business, this plan will provide you with all the details you need to know before going forward with your startup idea. 

The business plan for Aqua Dreams is as detailed as a business plan for Starbucks . Hence it is assured that it will answer all your questions regarding how to start a purified water business.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

Aqua Dreams will be a licensed and standard bottled water production company situated in an industrial area in Orleans, Massachusetts. We have been able to secure a long-term lease for a facility in a strategic location with an option of a long-term renewal on agreed terms and conditions favorable to us. The reason behind this successful execution is a well-thought-out water purification and bottling business plan .

2.2 Management of water purification and bottling business

While taking an entrepreneurial initiative, it is essential to ensure that all aspects of your business are coherent. Hence, you must prepare a unique bottled water business plan that helps you seek sufficient funding. 

Having said that, while writing a bottled water business proposal, you must analyze all the available resources. If you intend to raise loans, you should also study some business plans for banks because the process of getting loans can be exhaustive. 

2.3 Customers of water purification and bottling business

While thinking of how to start water bottle business, you must understand who your target market is. Including this detail in your water purification business plan will help you in subsequent planning. The recurring customers of Aqua Dreams are identified as:

• Restaurants and Canteens
• Event Planners

2.4 Business Target

Our vision is to establish a standard bottled water Production Company whose products will be sold in Orleans – Massachusetts, and throughout the United States of America and  Canada . There would be no compromise on the quality of the product, and complete transparency would be offered concerning our filtering processes.

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Aaron Finch will be the owner of Aqua Dreams. Aaron has strong leadership and organizational skills that he acquired while working at different water filtration plants since 2009. He graduated with a major in resource management from the University of Texas and researched this field ever since. He identified a lack of efficient purification systems in existing firms in the market and hence felt the need to introduce an innovative bottling water business plan.

3.2 Why the water purification and bottling business is being started

The bottled water production industry is profitable, and it is open for any aspiring entrepreneur to come in and establish their business. Aaron thought of coming up with a packaged drinking water business plan so that he doesn’t miss on any important aspect.

3.3 How the water purification and bottling business will be started

Step1: Planning for the business

Before setting up your business, looking into all the available resources and planning your way forward is essential. It gives you an idea of the availability of human resources and capital. If you are adding farm-related aspects to your business, it would be beneficial to also read out farmers market business plan before making a business plan for your startup.

Step2: Get Recognized

The next step is to be recognized by defining your business’s services and values. Having the proper business structure is very important to us at Aqua Dreams. Besides, producing healthy, portable, and well-packaged bottled water, we aim to impart perfect customer care service.

Step3: Offices 

The cooperate office of Aqua Dreams will be located in the industrial zone of Orleans. It will be a feasible location since it would grant easy access to resources. Consequently, the cost of acquiring production factors would be low. The market trends in this water purification business plan pdf can help you strategically choose your corporate office’s location. 

Step4: Online Presence

Living in an age of social media and digitalization, having a web presence is imperative for a company’s success. The website for Aqua Dreams would entail the company’s purification and bottling methods to educate the consumers about the sustainable processes we use.

Step5: Marketing

The last step is developing and executing a marketing plan to promote your services. In your business plan for bottled water , you must add marketing strategies that you will be using to reach out to the target customers. For diverse and unique advertisement ideas, research is imperative. You may need to visit several business operational models such as a liquor store business plan to gain an insight into the expectations of your target market.

Services of water purification and bottling business

Ideas to start your own bottled water business can be daunting and confusing. If you are new to the business and are unaware of the facilities to offer, you can refer to the services available at Aqua Dreams mentioned below:

• Bulk Purified water

The most preferred processes used for the purification process are reverse osmosis, deionization, and distillation. Aqua Dreams will use reverse osmosis systems as they remove up to 99% of organic substances and ions from the water. This process is discussed in detail in our water purification plant business plan.

• Still bottled water

This type of bottled water is the most often used to replace tap water. It has varying levels of dissolved minerals and does not contain added carbonation. In this bottling water business plan, we will list how much sales of this product were expected in a period lasting three years.

• Sparkling bottled water

Sparkling water, also known as seltzer, soda, or tonic water, is infused with carbon dioxide to create tons of bubbles and fizziness. It is often used as a healthy substitute for sugary sodas and other beverages because it is lower in calories and sugar. We will offer different flavors of the product to meet the expectations of our customers.

• Flavored bottled water

Flavored water is a beverage with added natural or artificial flavors, herbs, and sweeteners. Aqua Dreams will offer different options to its customers for a wider target market.

If you are new to the industry and are thinking how to start a water bottling plant, it is recommended that you go through this water bottling business plan pdf and learn about the technicalities involved.

Marketing Analysis of water purification and bottling business

Excellent work.

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

In this water bottling plant business plan, you will find a detailed marketing analysis conducted by Aqua Dreams. This is the perfect water purification business plan sample for your reference if you are confused about how to start a water purification business.

5.1 Market Trends

Research conducted by IBIS World shows that the level of concentration in the purified drinking water business is modest in the USA. The top four players are expected to generate 65.5 percent of revenue. The industry is responsible for the employment of well over 14,360 people. Experts project the bottled water production industry to grow at a 4.0 percent annual rate.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

While analyzing how to start a water purification business, you must investigate your target audience. Market segmentation is vital to understanding the scope of your filtered water business. If you don’t know who you will be interacting with, you can refer to the customer groups of Aqua Dreams mentioned below:

Business plan for investors

5.2.1 hotels.

The minibars you see in your hotel rooms are usually stocked with bottled water of all kinds, let it be still, sparkling, or flavored. Hence, Aqua Dreams will be supplying bottled water to different hotels on a contractual basis. Since they place large orders, their revenue would be the main reason behind the success of our water purification business. 

5.2.2 Restaurants 

Since sparkling water is also often used in cocktails and other drinks to create a fizzy sensation, restaurants in the city will be the primary customer group for this specific product for Aqua Dreams. Our products will also assist them with their purification systems installed in the kitchens.

5.2.3 Event Planners

Nowadays, instead of serving water in glasses, it is preferred to offer bottled water to the guests. Hence event planners are expected to procure bottled water from us and provide it to the customers they are dealing with.

5.2.4 Retailers

Carbonated and fizzy drinks are loved by almost everyone these days, which can be bad for their health. Our flavored water, supplied to retailers nationwide is relatively less unhealthy and therefore we expect to have great sales of it.

5.3 Business Target

• Start a bottled water delivery service based on a courier services business plan
• Have a customer satisfaction score of 93%
• Capture 30% market share within the first year of business
• Install two new purification plants in the next five years of operations 

5.4 Product Pricing

Our prices will conform to what is obtainable in the industry. We have put in place those business strategies that will help us run on low profits for six months.

Marketing Strategy of water purification and bottling business

Regardless of whether you are thinking of having a bottled water company business plan or a water purifying business plan, you need to have an effective marketing strategy. It would help you stand out amidst competition and capture market share. 

Aqua Dreams will use a robust set of marketing and sales strategies mentioned in this water bottle business plan pdf. Hence it would be helpful for you to read it thoroughly if you are wondering how to start a packaged drinking water business.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

• The services at Aqua Dreams would be supervised by water purification experts who have insights worth 5+ years of experience.
• Sustainable practices such as environmentally friendly purification systems will be employed at Aqua Dreams.
• Calorie Check will be done thoroughly in our flavored bottled water.
• The introductory prices offered by Aqua Dreams would be lower than the market rates without compromising on the quality of services.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• Introduce our bottled water by sending introductory letters to hotels, water merchants, and restaurants.
• Advertise in local directories.
• Use social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram for sponsored ads.

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Personnel plan of water purification and bottling business

The average cost involved in a bottled water production water business plan is similar to that in a donut shop business plan .

It is important to account for different kinds of costs to forecast financial returns accordingly. These costs also include the salaries of employees at the purification plants. To give you an idea of average salaries in the market, the salaries of our employees are quoted in this purified water business plan.

7.1 Company Staff

While thinking of water business ideas, the following are the positions you would essentially recruit for:

• 1 Plant Manager
• 1 Operations Manager
• 5 Production Assistants
• 1 Marketing Officer
• 3 Delivery Drivers
• 1 QA Engineer

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial Plan of water purification and bottling business

A sole focus on increasing sales does not ensure that your business has become successful. For generating profits, you need to do a thorough analysis of your water company profile and estimate the operations’ capacity for your business accordingly.

In your financial plan, you must identify when and how to cover your investment amount with the earned profits. Moreover, you should evaluate the business projections and ratios to assess how the financial trajectory of your enterprise will go in the coming years. These assessments are important to highlight in your business plan for a water purification plant because they help investors decide whether to fund your bottled water startup or not. Besides, they help you direct your efforts to achieve your business goals.

If you don’t know how to conduct a financial analysis, you can refer to this water bottle business plan pdf.

Here we’re providing a business plan used by Aqua Dreams for you to use as a reference.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 Break-even Analysis

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 Profit Monthly

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 Business Ratios

• Is water bottling a profitable business?

A bottled water plant is profitable, provided a strategic business plan is in place. The average bottled water profit margin ranges between 25-30% for small and medium-scale water plants. It can be as high as 60% for large bottle production. Hence, the question “is bottled water business profitable” really depends on your scale of operations and management.

• How do I start a water purification business?

You can make a business plan and execute it in a set time frame. The most common mistake made when starting a new business is neglecting to write up a business plan. A good purified water business plan establishes a framework and a roadmap for your water purification business. If you try starting a bottled water business without a well-defined plan, your venture might not get successful.

• Is packaged drinking water business profitable?

The profit margin in the mineral water business is highly dependent on your products and location. This business can be profitable if you research what is in demand in the market and come with up unique sales ideas to let your customers know about you.

• How much does it cost to manufacture a bottle of water?

The cost of manufacturing a bottle of water differs from business to business based on the technology that is being used. Moreover, the scale and production level will also affect the cost incurred during manufacturing.

To get an idea of how you can cut costs, you can see a butcher shop business plan . It is generally assumed that mass production leads to lower manufacturing costs and in turn prices.

Download Water Purification and Bottling Business Plan Template in pdf

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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How to Start a Bottled Water Production Company

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Food Processing Industry » Bottled Water Production

Do you want to start a bottled water company? If YES, here is a 20-step guide on how to start a bottled water business with no money and no experience.

This is no doubt a very lucrative industry that can make one a millionaire if all things work together for good. Bottled water is one commodity that is consumed in all parts of the world and of course those that are in the business of producing bottled water are known to generate sales year in year out if the business is well – managed.

Suggested for You

• Bottled Water Business Plan [Sample Template]
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• Starting a Bottle Water Plant – License, Permit & Insurance
• How Much Does It Cost to Start a Water Bottling Company?

As a matter of fact, economic downturn hardly affects the consumption of bottled water simply because it is a commodity that is as important as the air we breathe in. Production companies in the bottled water industry basically purify bottled water into plastic and glass bottles for consumption.

The bottled water are properly capped and labeled accordingly before being sold to the general public. Companies in this industry usually have an assortment of water offerings, such as spring water, mineral water, sparkling water and flavored water in a range of sizes and prizes.

Players in this industry are also involved in the manufacturing of ice. It is common to find big corporations who are into production of soft drinks and food and beverages engage in the production of bottled water.

Basically what most standard bottled water production companies rely on to increase sales cum revenue generation is robust distribution network within their coverage areas; retailers, restaurants, sports clubs and hotels et al are some of the key business entities that you should partner with if you want to do pretty well in this line of business.

Steps to Starting a Bottled Water Company

1. understand the industry.

Research conducted by IBIS World shows that in the United States of America, the level of concentration in the Bottled Water Production industry is modest, as the top four players are expected to generate 65.5 percent of revenue.

Given the heavy bulk weight of industry products and the relatively low value per unit sold, bottled water production is generally taken on by large companies with major economies of scale and heavy investments in transportation.

While the majority of bottled water production is performed as one of many activities within the corporate portfolios of international food and beverage companies, the remaining portion of the industry’s production is performed through small-sized local players.

Interesting Statistics About the Industry

The Bottled Water Production industry is a thriving sector of the economy of the United States of America and they generates a whooping sum of well over $5 billion annually from more than 565 registered and licensed bottle water production companies scattered all around the United States of America.

The industry is responsible for the employment of well over 14,360 people. Experts project the bottle water production industry to grow at a 4.0 percent annual rate. The Coca Cola Company, Nestle and Pepsi Co are the world leaders in the bottled water industry; they have the lion market share in the United States of America and in most countries of the world.

Despite the fact that there are big corporations who are into the production of bottled water, the fact remains that starting a small scale bottled water production business has minimal barriers to entry, with low start – up capital. Most players in the bottled water production industry are small- to medium-size establishments that cater to the local community.

With this kind of business, if you want to start on a small scale, you can choose to start servicing your local community. All you would need is contacts, packaging, networking and good marketing and customer service skills. However, if you intend starting it on a large scale, then you should consider spreading beyond your local community to state level and even national level.

Some of the factors and incentives that encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to venture into starting a bottled water production company is the fact that the required amount needed to start the business especially when you choose to start a small scale servicing a small community is not on the high side compared to other small scale businesses.

2. Conduct Market Research and Feasibility Studies

• Demographics and Psychographics

The demographic and psychographic compositions for those who consume bottled water is all encompassing. This is so because there are no human on the face of the earth that does not drink clean and portable water.

So as a bottled water production company, your target market should cut across people of different financial standings, culture, religion, race and age et al. All you need to do is to ensure that your bottled water is packaged is affordable and packaged in different sizes and of course different prices. With that you will be able to appeal to all your target market.

3. Decide What Niche to Concentrate On

Basically, there are no niche areas in the bottled water production industry simply because bottled water are expected to meet same standard in any part of the world hence the industry is strictly regulated.

On the other hand, bottled water production companies are known to continue to improvise so as to continue to expand their market reach which is why it is now easier to find flavored bottled water, mineral bottled water, distilled bottled water, sparkling bottled water, bottled water with low PH value and bottled water packaged in different sizes et al.

As a matter of fact, most bottled water production companies are not left out when it comes to producing water that are dispense via water dispensers.

The Level of Competition in the Industry

There are only a few businesses that lack competition. One of the good things about competition is the fact that it helps one sit up and rise up to the challenges there are. There is hardly any industry or line of business anywhere in the world where there is no competition, as a matter of fact, it is competition that brings creativity and innovations in the business world.

This goes to show that if you are looking towards starting a bottled water production company, then you should brace – up for competitions in the industry. The truth is that you are not expected to compete amongst bottled water production companies in your city, but also international and world class corporations such as The Coca Cola Company, Pepsi Co and Nestle et al.

Most bottled water company are leveraging on creativity in terms of packaging and marketing to continue to stay afloat in the industry. One creativity approach that is common is ensuring that their bottled water conforms to the appropriate PH – level.

As a matter of fact it is common to find bottled water production companies especially medium scale and small scale bottled water companies specially labeling their bottled water for specific occasions to meet the demand of their clients. For example, a client that is celebrating his or her birthday may strike an agreement with a bottled water company to specially label the bottled water that will be served in the occasion to conform with the occasion.

No doubt, the fact that there is stiffer competition in the bottled water production industry is not hampering the performance of new entrants; most of them know how to recreate and re – strategize to reach out or attract more customers.

4. Know the Major Competitors in the Industry

In every industry, it isn’t new that there are brands that are way ahead of others. This can be attributed to their long staying power, amongst other things. It is important to state that there are larger corporations who are into bottled water production and also there are medium scale and small scale business that are also into bottled water production.

This is so because the market is open for all to participate in. Here are some of the leading brands in the bottled water production industry in the United States of America;

• The Coca Cola Company
• Nestle (Nestle Pure Life)
• Pepsi Co. (Aquafina)
• Voss Artesian Water
• Smart Water
• Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water
• Ice Mountain Natural Spring Water
• Deer Park Natural Spring Water

Economic Analysis

Starting a bottled water production company can’t be said to be a difficult business venture but at the same time, it is a business that requires thorough economic analysis – feasibility studies and market survey et al if you are looking towards making profits in the industry.

Part of what you need to focus on in this line of business is how to build a standard water purification and packaging plant, a robust distribution networks, branding and of course how to maintain your machinery and equipment and to take care of your overhead before your business breakeven. Other cost that should be considered during planning and budgeting are supply of packaging materials, and fuel and maintenance costs et al.

Lastly, there are a number of permits that are required to run a bottled water production company in the United State of America, and of course there are also public health codes to observe.

5. Decide Whether to Buy a Franchise or Start from Scratch

Good enough bottled water production business is one of those businesses that sell franchise; brands that have gained huge market leverage can successfully sell their franchise. Any aspiring entrepreneur who is considering starting a bottled water production business has the option of either starting from the scratch, buying an existing bottle water plant or buy a franchise franchise.

There are loads of factors that should be considered before choosing the option to follow. Some of the factors to consider are the cost of starting from the scratch or buying a franchise, your financial capacity, your vision, and your business skills and experience. Here is a list of bottled water franchise opportunities and that of mineral bottled water.

If your intention of starting a bottled water production business is to grow beyond one city, if you want to have presence in key cities in the United States and Canada, then starting your bottled water production company from the scratch is your best option.

But if you just want to start a business with the aim of just making profits and you don’t have the required finance and experience to build a business from the scratch, then it will pay you to buy the franchise of a successful brand in the bottled water production industry.

6. Know the Possible Threats and Challenges You Will Face

If you decide to start your own bottled water production company in the United States, Canada, and Australia or in Europe, you are sure going to face some challenges and threats that are peculiar to similar business. Some of the challenges that you are going to confront is finding your way around government regulations.

There are several laws out there that you are expected to follow if you want to run your own bottled water production company in the United States of America, some of the laws are unique to each states in the U.S.

Generally, if you are considering starting a bottled water production company in the United States of America and in any part of the world, then you should brace up to face threats such as unfavorable government policies and regulations, economic downturn; usually economic downturn affect the purchasing power of the average man or women on the street. Of course the arrival of another bottled water Production Company in same location where your target market exists.

7. Writing a Business Plan

When writing your business plan, ensure that you are moderate when it comes to setting projections on income generation and sales projections et al.

It is better to be on the safer side which is why when you are calculating your future income you should make use of the lower range figures as against the upper range. These are some key factors that you should also consider when drafting your business plan;

Executive summary and Company’s descriptions

You are expected to write about the concept of your business, descriptions of your company, your company’s vision statement, and mission statement, where your company will be located, your management team, your investment philosophy and perhaps why people should patronize your products or services.

Other key components that should not be missing in your bottled water production business plan are your product offering, bottled water SWOT analysis, marketing and sales analysis / strategies, pricing, costing and financial projection, management techniques, expansion strategies, publicity and advertising strategy, budget and start – up capital generation et al.

8. Prepare a Detailed Cost Analysis

Basically, starting a standard bottled water production company is indeed a capital intensive business. This is so because the amount required to set – up a bottled water production plant is not a piecemeal. The bulk of the start – up capital will be sent on leasing or acquiring a facility and also in purchasing water purifying, bottling, and packaging equipment.

Aside from that, you are not expected to spend much except for purchase and servicing of distribution trucks, paying of your employees and utility bills. This is the key areas where you will spend your start – up capital;

• The Total Fee for Registering the Business in the United States of America – $750.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits as well as the accounting services (software, P.O.S machines and other software) – $1,300.
• Marketing promotion expenses for the grand opening the Bottled Water Production Company in the amount of $3,500 and as well as flyer printing (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of – $3,580.
• Cost for hiring Business Consultant – $2,500.
• Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $2,400.
• Cost for payment of rent for 12 month at $1.76 per square feet in the total amount of $105,600.
• Cost for construction of a standard bottled water production plant – $100,000.
• Other start-up expenses including stationery ($500) and phone and utility deposits ( $2,500 ).
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $100,000
• The cost for Start-up inventory (raw materials, bottles and packaging materials et al) – $80,000
• Storage hardware (bins, rack, shelves, food case) – $3,720
• The cost for counter area equipment (counter top, sink, ice machine, etc.) – $9,500
• Cost for water purifying, bottling and packaging equipment – $100,000
• Cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
• Cost of purchase of distribution vans – $100,000
• The cost for the purchase of furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, Fax Machines, tables and chairs et al) – $4,000.
• The cost of Launching a Website – $600
• The cost for your opening party – $10,000
• Miscellaneous – $10,000

Going by the report from the research and feasibility studies, you will need about 500,000 U.S. Dollars to set up a small scale bottle water production company in the United States of America.

You will need over 1.5 Million U.S. dollars to successfully set – up a medium scale bottle water company in the United States. If you are considering starting a large bottle water production company with several distribution networks servicing several cities, then you should look towards budgeting well over 5 million United States dollars .

9. Choose the Most Suitable Legal Entity (LLC, C Corp, S Corp)

It depends on what you want and the type of business model that you intend building, you have the options of either choosing a limited liability company which is commonly called an LLC, a “C” corporation, or an “S” corporation. You can start your bottled water plant as limited liability company (LLC) and in future convert it to a ‘C’ corporation or a ‘S’ corporations especially when you have the plans of going public.

For example, setting up an LLC protects you from personal liability. If a customer that patronized your water suffers an allergy attack from drinking your water, his lawyers can’t go after your property or properties. It is only the money that you invested into the limited liability company that will be at risk.

It is not so for sole proprietorships and partnerships. Limited liability companies are simpler and more flexible to operate and you don’t need a board of directors, shareholder meetings and other managerial formalities.

10. Choose a Catchy Business Name from the ideas Below

When it comes to naming your business, the rule of thumb is to follow the trend in the industry. If you are in the bottled water production industry, your business name should sound like a company in the industry not like a chemical company or any other company that contracts what you are into. These are some of the catchy names that you can give to your bottled water production company;

• Zests Bottled Water Co.
• Glacier Natural Spring Water
• Life Nourishing Mountain Water, LLC
• Sparkles Bottled Water, LLC
• Gustoes Distilled Bottled Water Company
• Relishes Bottled Water, LLC
• S & T Bottled Water Co.

11. Get the Necessary Professional Certification

There are various certification courses that exist, it is however important that you find that which tallies with the bottle water production company.

Before you can be permitted to operate a bottled water production company both in the United States of America and in other parts of the world ( developed world most especially ), you are expected to apply and obtain certain certification or permits as the case may be.

You are supposed to get clean health certificate, you are expected to have undergone water purification and bottling training as well as obtain food handler certificate.

You can also check up with your state or city to know if you will require a professional certification before you can be licensed to run your own bottled water production business. But you can be rest assured that the industry is highly regulated and you are expected to meet the required standard as stipulated by the regulating establishment bit at local and national levels.

12. Get the Necessary Legal Documents You Need to Operate

The requirements for running a bottled water production company vary widely from country to country, states to states and from cities to cities.

For instance, in Toronto, Canada, some of the requirements for bottled water production business include business and liability insurance, a Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration for the truck, a food and drinks handler certificate, appropriate driver’s licenses for distribution drivers, assistant’s licenses for assistants, and a health inspection. Proof of ownership, proper identification and vehicle license et al.

These are some of the basic legal requirements needed before you can successfully start and run your own bottled water production business in the United States of America:

• Business and liability insurance
• Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration for distribution truck
• Food and drinks handler certificate
• Appropriate driver’s licenses for drivers
• Assistant’s licenses for assistants
• Health inspection Certificate
• Proof of ownership, proper identification and vehicle license
• Depot, commissary or service support facility meets vending unit operation needs
• Copy of license for the service support facility and/or a recent inspection report
• Tax Payer’s ID
• Fire certificate
• Plant insurance
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Business License
• Bottle Water Business Plan
• Non – disclosure Agreement
• Employment Agreement (offer letters)
• Employee’s Handbook
• Operating Agreement for LLCs

13. Discuss With an Agent to Know the Best Insurance Policies for You

Just like any other business, there are key insurance policies that you must have in place if you chose to start a bottled water production company in the United States of America. Besides you can’t be permitted to run a bottled water production business in the United States, in Canada, Australia and in Europe if you don’t have the basic insurance cover for your business.

These are some of the basic insurance cover that you should consider purchasing if you want to start your own bottled water production business in the United States of America;

• General insurance
• Health insurance
• Liability insurance
• Workers compensation
• Overhead expense disability insurance
• Property insurance
• Business owner’s policy group insurance
• Motor Vehicle Insurance (Comprehensive)

14. Choose a Suitable Location for your Business

When it comes to choosing a location for a bottled water business, there are key questions you should answer and key factors that must be considered. You are expected to choose a location that is easily accessible especially as it relates to your distribution network and supply of raw materials et al. Affordability, availability of labor and safety are also some of the factors that you should consider.

Despite the fact that bottled water are consumed by all and sundry, it is important to choose a location that will give your economy of scales; a location that will give leverage to favorably compete in the industry as a new entrant and also to make reasonable profits et al.

15. Hire Employees for your Technical and Manpower Needs

When it comes to starting a bottled water production company, then you should make plans to build a standard water plant.

A standard water plant includes water borehole, effective water treatment and water purifying machines, water bottling machines, a mini lab and good drainage system. So you are expected to put all this equipment and machine in place and also purchase standard distribution trucks.

Although you can get a fairly used brand of the above listed equipment and machines, but it is advisable to go for new and latest machines and equipment that can serve you for a long time most especially if you have the required money to make the purchase.

Even if you don’t have the required amount, you can enter an agreement with the suppliers of such bottled water production machines and equipment and spread the payment over a period of time.

As regard acquiring a facility, if you have the required finance, it is to your advantage to acquire a property or lease a facility to be used for your bottled water production plant; it usually gives you the freedom to design the facility the way you want to it to be and install safety gadgets as you so desire. But if you are low on cash, then you don’t have any option other than to rent a facility.

When it comes to creating a workforce structure for a standard bottled water production company, then you should look towards getting qualified and competent people to fill the following roles; Chief Executive Officer (Owner), Plant Manager, Human Resources and Admin Manage, Merchandize Manager, Sales and Marketing Manager, Accountants / Cashiers, Production Workers / Machine Operators, Distribution Truck drivers, and Cleaners.

Over and above, you will need a minimum of 15 – 20 staff members to successfully run a small scale bottled water Production Company.

16. Write a Marketing Plan Packed With ideas & Strategies

The fact that the entry barrier for starting a small scale bottled water production business is low means that there is bound to be more players in the industry no matter the location you choose to start yours. In essence, you must come up with creativity and innovations if you must carve out a market for yourself within the available market in your community, city, state or country.

So when you are drafting your marketing ideas and strategies for your bottled water production business, make sure that you outsmart what your competitors are offering. Here are some of the platforms you can utilize to market your bottled water production company;

• Introduce your bottled water brand by sending introductory letters to residence, bottled water merchants and other stakeholders in your target and other cities
• Open your bottled water production company with a party so as to capture the attention of residence who are your first targets
• Engage in road show in targeted communities from time to time to sell your products
• Advertise your products in community based newspapers, local TV and radio stations
• List your business and products on yellow pages ads  (local directories)
• Leverage on the internet to promote your bottled water brands
• Engage in direct marketing and sales
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing (referrals)

17. Develop Iron-clad Competitive Strategies to Help You Win

When it comes to competing favorable in the bottled water production industry, you would have to be very creative to stay on top. The truth is that, if your customers have the opportunity to buy a well packaged and cheap bottled water from your competitors, the possibility of losing them can’t be ruled out.

In other to stay competitive in this industry, you must ensure that your bottled water is distributed and always available in outlets within your target market locations. The truth is that if there are fluctuations in the supply of your brand of bottled water, customers can choose to shift allegiance and settle for other options available.

So also part of the creativity and innovations that will keep you highly competitive is to ensure that you produce bottled water in different sizes, packages and flavors et al. it will give your target market options.

18. Brainstorm Possible Ways to Retain Clients & Customers

No doubt one of the strategies that you would need to employ in order to generate repeated sales from your customers and also to retain them is to ensure that the quality and taste of your bottled water are constant and does not fluctuate.

The truth is that if the taste and quality of your bottled water fluctuates, you are likely going to struggle to get your customers coming back; people usually go for products that are of good quality. You can also make uses of promotional ideas such as loyalty schemes, direct marketing, door drops, and merchandising.

Lastly, ensure that you offer your customers incentives if you want to retain them and of course continue to generate repeated sales from them and also to attract new customers.

19. Develop Strategies to Boost Brand Awareness and Create a Corporate Identity

No matter the industry you belong to, the truth is that the market is a dynamic and it requires consistent brand awareness and brand boosting cum promotion to continue to appeal to your target market. Your corporate identity as a lot to do when it comes to building a business that is profitable and last long.

Here are the platforms you can leverage on to boost your brand awareness and create corporate identity for your Bottled Water Production Company;

• Place adverts on both print (community based newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, et al to promote your bottled water brand
• Install your Bill Boards on strategic locations all around major cities in the United States of America
• Engage in road show from time to time in targeted communities
• Distribute your fliers and handbills in target areas
• Position your Flexi Banners at strategic positions in the location where we intend getting customers to start patronizing your products.
• Ensure that your bottled water are well branded and that all your staff members wear your customized clothes, and all your official cars and distribution vans are customized and well branded.

20. Tips for Running It Successfully

As the chief executive officer of a bottled water production company, it is your responsibility to give direction to the business.

Part of what you need to do is to ensure that you create time for office meetings; a time where challenges, feedback, projections and relevant issues are discussed. The meetings could be daily, once in a week, twice a week or once in a month. The bottom line is that there should be consistent meetings in your organization.

Carrying out appraisals on a regular basis and training your employees will help you run your organization effectively. Encourage your employees to pursue certifications in their various area of specializations; it will help your organization’s profile and of course it will help the individuals. You can choose to fully or partially sponsor some of the certifications.

Lastly, you should keep your doors open for suggestions from members of your team and your clients. It is very important to reward excellent performance in your organization; it will go a long way to encourage healthy competition in your organization.

Money blog: Trendy area in uproar over Gail's potentially coming to high street

Welcome to the Money blog, a hub of personal finance and consumer news/tips. Today's posts include a look at the discounts available to students, and local a revolt against Gail's. Leave a comment on any of the stories we're covering in the box below - we round them up every Saturday.

Thursday 15 August 2024 12:33, UK

• Aldi axes click and collect
• Tesco launching 'passports' for its clothing
• UK inflation rises for first time since December - analysis

Essential reads

• Is this the end of the British pub?
• What's gone wrong at Asda?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive of features

Tips and advice

• All the discounts you get as a student or young person
• TV chef picks best cheap eats in London
• Savings Guide : Why you should now be checking T&Cs
• 'I cancelled swimming with weeks of notice - can they keep my money?'

Ask a question or make a comment

Locals in a trendy London neighbourhood have signed a petition against Gail's bakery setting up shop in their area.

After (unconfirmed) rumours began circulating that the chain was looking to open a site in Walthamstow village, more than 600 have signed a petition opposing the plans.

The petition, which features a cross made out of two baguettes over the company logo, says the village "faces a threat to its uniqueness" should Gail's move into the area.

"Gail's, although respected for their quality, bring a risk of overshadowing our much-loved local stores due to their massive scale and advertising reach," it continues.

"This could lead to decreased visibility and pedestrian traffic towards independently run businesses, threatening their very existence and dismantling the character and diversity crucial to Walthamstow's charm."

Local business owners have also said they oppose the plans because of the pro-Brexit and anti-lockdown views of Luke Johnson, the company’s minority investor.

Adrian Spurdon, a barista at an independent coffee shop, said Mr Johnson's views clashed with the politics of Walthamstow.

He told The Times: "We've just had this big, diverse counter-protest to protect Walthamstow from the far-right and I doubt Luke Johnson would support that.

"He is very different to the people here. His views are not the same."

The opening of a Gail's - where a regular latte will set you back £4.10 - has become a mark of prosperity in the area. 

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the party looked at where the bakery chain had opened as an indicator of constituencies that could turn yellow, while the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton is known to be partial to their chocolate brownie finger. 

A spokesman for Gail's said: "We understand the concern around chains, but our view is that a healthy high street is one with a diversity of quality offers, each delivering their best.

"High streets evolve over time and we open our small bakeries often in closed banks or stranded restaurants.

"All of our bakeries exist in areas where the choices are wide and growing – we should be celebrating the improvement in our food landscapes."

By Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

Despite the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine tension, the benchmark oil price has come down from the highs of Monday to just over $80 a barrel, good news for motorists. 

The value of a pound is down from the highs of July but still better than most of the last six months, with £1 equal to $1.2856. Sterling has done worse against the euro with one pound buying €1.1663, less than could be bought for most of the last three months.

Following news that insurance company Admiral will up payments to shareholders, the price of its shares increased nearly 8%, the most of all the companies on the London Stock Exchange's benchmark index, the FTSE 100. 

As a whole, the FTSE 100 grew 0.06% while the larger and more UK-based FTSE 250 index of valuable London-listed companies grew 0.28%.

Whether or not results day goes to plan today, you can always console yourself with some free chicken, pizza and nachos. 

Major chains like Nando's, Pizza Express and Frankie & Benny's are offering some great freebies for students picking up their A-level results. Most you can get simply by showing a copy of your results to staff. Some have a few extra steps - but we've outlined this below, and most usually just involve signing up for some kind of free app or reward programme.

(And don't worry year 11, many of these offers will also be available when you receive your GCSE results next week).

Nandos: Chicken Bring your ID and results and you will get a free starter or quarter chicken, provided you also spend £7 or more.

Frankie & Benny's: Pizza Each restaurant is giving away 50 free pizzas - you just need to purchase a large soft drink (and show off your results).

Pizza Express: Dough balls You'll get one free portion of dough balls when you purchase a main - for this one you also need to present a valid UNiDAYS offer code.

Wagamama: Free side and drink You need to sign up to the Soul Club app to get this one, but you'll get a free side dish and free soft drink, or cider can, if you order between 11am and 3pm.

Bill's: Dessert To qualify for a free dessert you also need to purchase a main course, or brunch.

Banana Tree: Pad Thai You need to purchase one starter (excluding edamame) and a drink, but you then qualify for a free main meal. Just make sure you sign up  here  first.

Chiquito: Loaded nachos You have two options for this - Chicken & Chorizo or Pibil Pulled Jackfruit, as long as you order at least one large soft drink. There are only 600 available, so you'll want to head down early.

Bird & Blend: Drink Get a magical matcha, refreshing ice tea or a herbal brew if you present your results and your student ID between 11am and 5pm.

Showcase Cinema: Popcorn If you have a ticket for a film today, just show proof you received your results and you qualify for a free popcorn.

Starbucks: Cookie Grab a free cookie with any beverage today.

Bella Italia: 30% off Students get a very decent 30% off their food bill - but you will need to sign up here first.

TGI Fridays: 24% off your bill You need to be a free Stripes Reward member to get this one, and bring a copy of your results.

In a little over a month, hundreds of thousands of young people will once again descend on university towns across the UK - armed with maintenance loans and newly found financial freedoms.

With their arrival comes their business - and retailers and restaurants all fight for the chance to part students with their cash in the form of special discounts. 

It would be a pretty long post were we to list every single student discount, so for this guide we'll go through some of the most notable and our favourites. 

Let's start with the world's most valuable company, which offers various deals to students. 

Buying a new iPad or Mac will land you a gift card worth £120, while you're able to access a cheaper Apple Music plan with Apple TV+ included. 

It's available through discount portal UNiDAYS , or you can read more about the offers here .

Another student essential - bag yourself six months of free Amazon Prime (which offers next-day delivery on thousands of items and Prime Video).

Once that ends, students only need to pay half price for their membership (£4.49 a month). 

Check out the offer here .

If you didn't opt for the Apple Music offer outlined above, then getting 45% off your Spotify subscription might be worth it. 

It's this link to sign up. 

If you want 10% off clothes from one of the world's biggest online fashion retailers, you simply need to fill in this form . 

Another top tip: ASOS often drops prices, starts sales or increases discount when your student maintenance loans hit your account. 

It might be worth waiting for then to use your codes to maximise your savings - you'll get your first loan at the end of September/start of October, one at the start of January and the last will be at the start of April.

YouTube Premium and Music can be yours for £7.99 (plus a free trial month) - allowing you ad-free watching, downloads, background play and unlimited tunes. 

Click here for more. 

An unequivocal student essential. 

Railcards are a must while you're moving around the country visiting friends, family or just making your way home for Christmas. 

They cost just £30 and give you a third off expensive rail fares for the full year. 

More on that here . 

Nike and  Adidas

Two of the big players in sports fashion.

Bag the latest athleisure with 15% from Adidas and 10% off at Nike . 

If you don't like the trainers either Nike or Adidas provide, then take a look at Schuh.

The footwear brand offers 10% off full-price and  sale items - click here to find out how. 

Another top tip: if you like a pair of Nike or Adidas shoes, check out whether you could get them cheaper at Schuh with discounts, and factoring in delivery charges and sales.

Via discount portal StudentBeans, you can grab 15% off at Sephora. 

It's one of the biggest self-care and beauty brands anywhere on the planet, and 15% off will save you a decent chunk. 

Click here to find out more. 

Boots 

Being a student can save you 10% at Boots - sometimes more.

However, you will need to sign up for one of their (free) advantage cars, so maybe one you need to think about.

Check out the steps here .

Burger King

Students can enjoy a free Chicken or Vegan Royale with purchase of a Chicken or Vegan Royale via their StudentBeans portal.

This link has more.

The big night in vendor offers students up to 50% off. 

This is another one you'll need a StudentBeans discount portal login for, but you can get all the details here . 

Through UNiDAYS, you can get £10 off your first two orders (over £15) on Uber Eats.

They're not only offering takeaways, but grocery shopping too, so that's something to bear in mind. 

Details here .

There's 10% off at New Look for students - and you can bag a further 25% if you sign up to their mailing list.

Discount is in-store and online, so there's a bit of flexibility regarding where you shop.

This one is through UNiDAYS, details here .

Grab yourself a free cheeseburger, mayo chicken or McFlurry when you buy selected menu items. 

Read the full list and T&Cs here . 

The delivery giant always offers student deals, but they're yet to make public this year's plans.

You can enter your email address into this link for updates on it. 

Savings on your sex life start at 20%.

This one is via UNiDAYS - more here .

MyProtein 

50% off protein at MyProtein for fitness-hungry students is one of several offers the company has put up. 

Again, via UNiDAYS, which has the full list of deals/offers here .

Sticking with health and fitness, several high-street value gym chains offer discounts, including  The Gym Group  and  PureGym . 

Blackwell's

We've done all the fun stuff like food and clothes - but you do have to study at some stage. 

That's where having 15% off at major book supplier Blackwell's can help. 

All the details are here . 

While we're on the more boring stuff - let's turn to furniture and cutlery. 

Over the years millions of students have descended on the Swedish giant to fill their new rooms and cupboards. 

Offers change every year - and they'll be updated here . 

If you are a regular reader of the Money blog, you will have seen us cover the topic of security tags before. 

We've noticed them on meat, cheese and baby milk , and now some chocolate treats are also getting the yellow security sticker treatment. 

We spotted the tags below at an Asda in Twickenham earlier this week. 

They were placed on a £2.50 box of Celebrations and Lindt Salted Caramel Lindors costing £5.

Also tagged were a £9.30 box of Maltesers Truffles, a £6.55 pack of Raffaello, a £10.50 tray of Ferrero Rocher and an £8.95 Thortons Classic box. 

An Asda spokesperson confirmed to the Money team that "individual stores may tag specific products at their own discretion as a precautionary measure". 

Earlier this year, it was revealed shoplifting had hit its highest level in 20 years. 

The number of offences increased by 37% to 430,104 in the year ending 31 December 2023, compared with 2022, the latest Crime Survey for England and Wales found. 

Several retailers have taken steps to curb the surge, including extra security and body-worn cameras. 

The UK economy grew 0.6% over three months to the end of June, official figures show. 

But there was no growth at all in June, the Office for National Statistics said, as businesses delayed purchases until after the general election.

"In a range of industries across the economy, businesses stated that customers were delaying placing orders until the outcome of the election was known," the ONS said, though added it's difficult to quantify the exact impact.

Gross domestic product (GDP) - the measure of everything produced in the UK - expanded from April to June.

That growth rate was the second highest among the G7 group of industrialised nations, only the United States performed better with 0.7%.

Two G7 countries, however, have yet to publish their GDP data for the period - Japan and Germany.

Follow our breaking story here ...

Aldi is axing its click and collect service within days, according to reports.

Customers will not be able to order groceries online from the supermarket beyond Sunday, said industry magazine The Grocer.

This follows Aldi's withdrawal of its limited home delivery service last year.

The decision was made to keep prices at their lowest possible, a spokesperson said.

"One of the ways we keep our prices low for customers is by running the most efficient supermarket business in Britain," they told The Grocer.

"As a result, we've made the decision to bring our click and collect service to an end so we can focus on doing just that."

Aldi launched the service in September 2020, eventually expanding to more than 200 stores.

Sky News has contacted Aldi for comment.

Tesco is launching "digital passports" across its clothing range ahead of new sustainability rules. 

The digital product passports will allow customers to see information about items in the F&F range, including where its materials were sourced. 

Tesco's Joe Little said the move represented "an important step forward, encouraging and promoting sustainable and circular practices". 

The pilot is being launched with tech company Fabacus, which is run by the founder of Nobody's Child - a sustainable clothing brand that has previously used DPPs on three of its collections. 

CEO and founder Andrew Xeni told the Money team that DPPs provided "a huge opportunity" for retailers to tell their story. 

He said legislation for fashion using DPPs was expected to begin in 2027 so "practical implementation must start immediately". 

What are DPPs and what do they do?  

DPPs show key information about what the product is made from, its origin, history and how to dispose of it properly.

They capture data about the environmental impact of an item and are being introduced across the EU to improve sustainability. 

Mr Xeni compared them to the nutritional information we see on food products, saying they will help people to make more informed decisions about what they are buying. 

It's not clear what form Tesco will present them in, but when Nobody's Child launched theirs, they came as a QR code on the clothing's care label that could be scanned with a smartphone.

By 2030, a range of businesses are expected to be required to provide detailed information on the materials used in their products, and their environmental impact. 

According to a  provisional agreement  from December, products with a high environmental impact will be prioritised as having to comply: 

• Batteries 
• Consumer electronics 
• Electronic devices 
• Construction products

"It's going to hold so many companies accountable," said Mr Xeni. 

Last year, the government's European Scrutiny Committee raised concerns that the scheme could conflict with regulations in Northern Ireland because of the Windsor Framework - the post-Brexit legal agreement between the EU and the UK. 

For Savings Guide this week,  Savings Champion   co-founder Anna Bowes looks at the best easy access accounts on the market.

Although variable-rate accounts like easy-access savings are likely to see rate cuts over the following days, weeks and months further to the base rate cut earlier this month, those who can't lock up their funds still need to seek the best rates.

In a rate-falling environment, it's really important to keep an eye on the interest you are earning and switch if you are no longer getting a competitive rate.

With easy access accounts this should be straightforward because, as the name suggests, you can get access to your money immediately.

But remember that a number of accounts may have restricted access, and if you have one of these, make sure you know what effect a further withdrawal will mean to your savings.

Most will simply allow you to close your account, even if you have made the maximum number of penalty-free withdrawals, but there are some that will not let you have any further access.

That's the case with the current top paying account -  Principality Building Society Online Bonus Triple Access Issue 2.

If you have already made three withdrawals, you will be unable to close the account and have access to your money until the following calendar year.

It's important to read all the terms and conditions when opening a savings account, so that you earn the interest and have the access that you are expecting.

Further to this, there is still some £252bn sitting in current accounts earning no interest at all.

Although inflation has ticked up slightly in the 12 months to July 2024 to 2.2%, there are still plenty of accounts, including easy access, paying an interest rate that is beating the current rising cost of living.

A "major breakthrough" which could signal the end of national rail strikes has been made in the long-running pay row involving drivers, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).

The department said the train drivers' union ASLEF had agreed to recommend a new pay proposal to its members after a series of "positive" talks led by the government. 

"The offer made to ASLEF is a 5% pay rise for 2022/23, 4.75% for 23/24, and 4.5% for 24/25," a spokesperson for the DfT said.

"The offer will now be put to ASLEF members in a referendum."

During the two-year pay dispute, drivers have taken 18 days of strike action, as well as refusing to work non-contractual overtime.

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