Water refill depot with local delivery

Households and offices that want treated water, plus cottages, farms and rural homes. Some customers pay per refill and others for regular delivery.

A price per refill or per delivered bottle, plus bottle and cooler sales, delivery fees and prepaid refill cards for regulars.

• Basic mechanical and cleaning routines
• Following hygiene and testing procedures
• Customer service
• Managing a small budget and a part-time helper

• Treating and bottling water is regulated in Canada, so check with Health Canada, the CFIA and your provincial and local health authorities before you buy equipment
• Regular water testing, equipment maintenance and record keeping may be required, and mistakes could affect public health
• Commercial general liability, product liability and property insurance; ask your broker what a water business needs
• Municipal zoning and business licence rules for the unit
• Higher upfront costs and a longer wait before income than a simple resale route
• Winter heating costs, frozen pipes and slower summer or winter demand in some areas

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your unit, treatment and refill equipment, and delivery setup. Upfront costs are higher, and income may take longer to arrive than with a simple resale route.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, the mix of refill and delivery customers, and local demand. These are revenue estimates, not profit, and demand can vary by season.

Treating and bottling water is regulated, so check with Health Canada, the CFA and your provincial and local health authorities before you buy equipment. Also check regular water testing, maintenance and record keeping, insurance, and municipal zoning and business licence rules.