Description

Water is one of the most essential commodities for the survival of all forms of life. It plays a vital role in physiological and biological functions, from hydration and digestion to cellular growth and brain function. Although water is abundant in nature—covering about seventy percent (70%) of the Earth’s surface—access to safe drinking water remains scarce, especially in many developing countries, including Nigeria.

This scarcity underscores the importance of water treatment, processing, and hygienic packaging, making bottled water production both a necessity and a lucrative venture.

Safe drinking water is not always readily available through traditional sources such as wells, streams, and even urban tap systems. In most Nigerian cities, tap water contains chlorine—added to prevent microbial recontamination as the water travels through distribution pipes. While this makes it relatively safe, the taste and odor of chlorine often turn consumers away.

In contrast, bottled water, especially spring or purified table water, offers a more appealing taste and is considered safer due to enhanced filtration processes and protective packaging.

Table water typically contains approved levels of essential minerals such as chloride, nitrate, sodium, and sulfate, which contribute to its taste and quality. These are usually sourced from artesian wells, protected springs, or boreholes, and undergo processes like reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, and UV sterilization to ensure purity and safety.

Nigeria’s growing awareness of waterborne diseases—such as typhoid, cholera, and gastrointestinal disorders—has driven demand for clean, reliable, and accessible bottled water. Moreover, increasing consumer concerns about neurological, reproductive, and immunological risks tied to contaminated water have heightened interest in hygienically packaged alternatives.

With the rise in health-conscious behaviors, there is a marked shift away from sugary carbonated drinks toward natural, calorie-free options, such as bottled water. This has created new opportunities for manufacturers—not just in table water, but in enhanced beverages like vitamin and electrolyte water that provide added health benefits.

Vitamin and electrolyte water is an emerging product segment in Nigeria’s bottled water industry. This category includes water infused with essential vitamins (e.g., B-complex, Vitamin C, D) and minerals (e.g., magnesium, potassium, calcium) that support hydration, energy, and immune health.

It’s especially popular among fitness enthusiasts, young professionals, and consumers seeking refreshing, functional alternatives to traditional beverages.

As Nigerians become increasingly aware of their hydration and nutritional needs, the vitamin water market is expected to grow rapidly. Electrolyte water, in particular, is in demand among individuals engaging in physical labor or outdoor activities, as it helps replace salts lost through sweat and prevents dehydration.

Globally, the bottled water market was valued at $217.66 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of eleven point one percent (11.1%) from 2021 to 2028. In Nigeria, the same momentum is observed. With a population exceeding two hundred million (200,000,000) people, and an annual population growth rate of approximately two point four percent (2.4%), the domestic demand for table and specialty water products is robust and growing.

The convenience, portability, and perceived health benefits of bottled water make it a preferred choice across demographics. From households to offices, schools, restaurants, and events, bottled water is a staple. Restaurants, in particular, have begun offering a variety of bottled water options—still, sparkling, flavored, and fortified—to meet the expectations of health-focused customers.

The Nigerian market is especially ripe for innovation in this sector. With high temperatures, frequent electricity outages, and unreliable municipal water supplies, bottled water provides a practical solution. This backdrop also explains the rising interest in home and office delivery services, dispenser bottles, and bulk packaged water for family and commercial use.

To produce bottled table water or vitamin electrolyte water, a number of processes must be followed:

Sourcing: Water is extracted from a protected source (e.g., borehole, spring).
Filtration: The raw water is passed through sand filters, carbon filters, and microfilters to remove physical and chemical contaminants.
Purification: Advanced techniques like reverse osmosis, ultraviolet sterilization, or ozonation are employed to kill bacteria and viruses.
Fortification: For vitamin water, appropriate quantities of vitamin blends, electrolytes, or natural flavors are added.
Packaging: The water is bottled using automated bottling machines in sterilized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles of various sizes (50cl, 75cl, 1.5L, etc.).
Labeling and Sealing: Bottles are labeled and sealed to ensure traceability, branding, and consumer trust.

Strict adherence to standards set by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) is required for licensing and approval.

Despite its potential, the bottled water industry in Nigeria faces a number of challenges. These include:

– High startup and operating costs, including drilling boreholes, purchasing filtration equipment, and acquiring automated bottling lines.

– Regulatory hurdles, as producers must meet strict government standards.

– Market saturation in urban areas, with multiple small-scale and unregistered producers driving competition and often compromising quality.

– Logistics and distribution challenges, particularly in rural and underserved regions.

Nonetheless, opportunities far outweigh the challenges, especially for investors who prioritize quality, branding, and efficient distribution networks.

The bottled water industry in Nigeria is poised for continued growth. As more consumers seek hydration solutions that support wellness, there is great potential for product differentiation, especially in premium segments like:

– Alkaline water
– Flavored sparkling water
– Vitamin water with natural fruit extracts
– Electrolyte-enhanced hydration drinks

This report is to examine the financial viability or otherwise of establishing an automatic bottle water filling plant in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The plant would produce both table water and vitamin electrolyte table water.

The proposed capacity of the plant is six thousand (6,000) bottles per hour of seventy-five (75) cl table water and one thousand (1,000) bottles per hour of fifty (50) cl Vitamin electrolyte water and the plant would operate at eighty percent (80%) of the installed capacity for double shift of eight (8) hours per day and three hundred (300) days per annum.