Business guide
Starting a Mineral Water Delivery Business in Pakistan: A Practical Checklist
By Muhammad Tanzeel Ur Rehman, CMA · · 8 min read
A 19 litre water delivery business can be a steady, cash-generating business — if it is set up with the right controls from day one. This checklist covers the practical side; always confirm current legal requirements with the relevant authorities in your city and province.
1. Water source and plant
- Get your water source tested at an accredited laboratory before you invest in equipment.
- Choose a treatment setup (RO, UV, ozonation) suited to your water report and planned daily volume.
- Plan space for bottle washing, filling, capping and storage that can be kept clean.
2. Registrations and quality
Packaged drinking water in Pakistan is regulated. Check the current requirements of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and your provincial food authority before you start selling, and keep your water test reports up to date. Requirements change, so get them confirmed directly rather than relying on old advice.
3. Bottles and caps
- Buy enough 19L bottles for: bottles at customers + bottles in the van + bottles being washed and filled.
- Decide your bottle security amount before your first customer, not after.
- Track every bottle from day one — see our guide on managing bottle deposits.
4. Pricing
Work out your real cost per bottle: water treatment, electricity, labour, caps, washing, fuel and rider salary or commission, plus bottle wear and loss. Price above that with a clear margin, and decide separate rates for home customers, shops and offices.
5. Riders and routes
- Group customers by area so each rider has a fixed route.
- Decide salary, commission per bottle, or both — commission on delivered bottles motivates riders.
- Settle cash and bottles daily — see rider cash management.
6. Records from the first day
Most small water businesses start with a register and switch later, after balances and bottle counts are already confused. Starting digital from day one is much easier: every delivery, payment and bottle is recorded as it happens, and customer balances are always right.
AquaRun is free for up to 50 customers, so a new business can start with proper records at no cost.