A water refilling station plan is built around testing. Stations must meet the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water 2017, and LGUs such as Morong, Rizal require a bacteriological test every month and a physical and chemical analysis every six months from a DOH-accredited lab. Bacolod also lists a DOH operational permit. This sample fills in DTI and BIR fees and leaves equipment, lab and sales figures blank.[5,4,3]
Executive summary
Example: [Station name] will purify and refill 5-gallon and slim containers at [street], Barangay [name], [city], with walk-in sales and delivery by [tricycle or motorcycle] to households and small offices within [distance]. Owner: [name], sole proprietor. Treatment: [reverse osmosis or other] system from [supplier], fed by [water utility or well].
Funding required: ₱____ for the treatment system, containers, delivery vehicle, fit-out and first tests. Owner ₱____; loan ₱____ from [lender]. Testing is a fixed monthly cost in every scenario of this plan.
Site and water source
Describe the space: a clean refilling room separated from the waiting area, a washing area for containers, storage for full and empty containers, and parking for the delivery vehicle. Note the source water supply and its pressure, and whether the supplier's system includes UV or ozone.
The sanitation rules for food establishments require a water supply that is adequate and potable. Ask your source utility or well driller for recent water results before you buy equipment.[6]
Households, offices and other stations
Fill in: Households within [distance]: [number], by our count. Small offices, sari-sari stores and carinderias that buy by the container: [number]. We asked [number] of them how many containers they use per week and where they buy now. Delivery day and time they prefer: [answers].
Competitors: [number] stations within [distance], each with price per container and delivery terms as checked on [date]. Ask buyers what makes them switch: [late delivery, dirty containers, taste]. Your angle: [scheduled deliveries, posted lab results, container sanitising].
Operations and the testing calendar
Daily. Check filters and pressure, sanitise containers, refill, seal, deliver, record containers out and back.
Testing calendar. In Morong, Rizal, refilling stations submit a bacteriological water test every month and a physical and chemical analysis every six months, both from a DOH-accredited laboratory only. Put the lab dates in your calendar from opening day and keep the results on the wall.[4]
Standards. DOH AO 2017-0010, the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water of 2017, expressly applies to water refilling station operators. Ask your equipment supplier to show how the system meets it.[5]
Staff. Bacolod asks for updated health certificates of all current employees, and a 20-hour certification course if available. Budget training time for each new hire.[3]
Permits and registration costs
The station needs a sanitary permit from the city or municipal health office, with the fee set by ordinance. In Bacolod, the sanitary permit file also needs an initial or operational permit from DOH. FDA's AO 2014-0029 licensing does not cover water refilling stations; they are under the LGU.[6,3,7]
Financial plan
Start-up. Treatment system ₱____; storage tanks ₱____; containers [number] × ₱____; washing and sealing equipment ₱____; delivery vehicle ₱____; fit-out ₱____; first bacteriological and physical-chemical tests ₱____; DTI name ₱200 or ₱500 plus ₱30 stamp tax; barangay clearance ₱____; mayor's permit ₱____; sanitary permit ₱____; DOH permit ₱____; health certificates ₱____; reserve ₱____.[1]
Monthly. Source water ₱____; power ₱____; filters and membranes ₱____ (spread their replacement cost by month); monthly lab test ₱____; six-month analysis ₱____ ÷ 6; wages ₱____; fuel ₱____; container replacement ₱____.
Sales. Containers per day [number] × price ₱____ × days [number]. Break-even containers per day = fixed costs ₱____ ÷ (price ₱____ − variable cost per container ₱____) ÷ days.
Risks
Failed water test. Stop selling, call the supplier, retest; keep a reserve for parts. Lost containers. Deposit or a container log per customer. Price war. Compete on delivery reliability and posted results instead of the lowest price.
Permit and testing costs: water refilling station
| Registration, permit or test | Office | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTI business name (sole proprietor) | DTI | ₱200–₱2,000 by scope, barangay or city scope for one station | DTI BNRS FAQ |
| Documentary stamp tax on DTI fee | DTI | ₱30 | DTI BNRS FAQ |
| Barangay business clearance | Barangay hall | Set by the barangay | Ask the barangay |
| Mayor's permit and city fees | City or municipal hall | Assessed by the city | Ask the BPLO |
| BIR registration (Annual Registration Fee) | BIR | ₱0, not collected since 22 Jan 2024 | BIR RMC 14-2024 |
| Sanitary permit, renewed yearly | City or municipal health office | Set by city ordinance | PD 856 food IRR |
| Initial or operational permit from DOH (Bacolod list) | DOH | Not published in our sources | Bacolod requirements list |
| Bacteriological water test, monthly | DOH-accredited laboratory | Not published, ask the lab | Morong sanitary permit list |
| Physical and chemical water analysis, every 6 months | DOH-accredited laboratory | Not published, ask the lab | Morong sanitary permit list |
| Health certificates (+ 20-hour course if available, Bacolod) | City health office | Set by the LGU | Bacolod requirements list |
| FDA License to Operate | FDA | Not required for refilling stations | FDA AO 2014-0029 |
Questions people ask
- How often must a water refilling station test its water?
- In Morong, Rizal, monthly bacteriological tests and a physical and chemical analysis every six months, from a DOH-accredited lab. Your LGU may set its own schedule.
- Does a water refilling station need an FDA license?
- No. FDA AO 2014-0029 excludes water refilling stations and leaves them to the LGU.
- Which water standard applies to refilling stations?
- The Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water of 2017 (DOH AO 2017-0010) expressly covers water refilling station operators.
Sources
Checked 14 November 2026. We link the agency's own page for every requirement. Rules change; confirm with the office before you pay.
- Frequently Asked Questions · DTI Business Name Registration System
- Digest of Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 14-2024 · Bureau of Internal Revenue · 24 January 2024
- Sanitary and Non-Sanitary (requirements list) · Bacolod City Government
- Requirements for Application of Sanitary Permit · Municipality of Morong, Rizal
- DOH launches Philippine national standards for drinking water of 2017 · PTV News · 14 December 2017
- Implementing Rules and Regulations of Chapter III, Food Establishments, of P.D. No. 856 · Department of Health (text via Supreme Court E-Library) · 29 December 1995
- Administrative Order No. 2014-0029: Rules and Regulations on the Licensing of Food Establishments and Registration of Processed Food, and Other Food Products · Department of Health / FDA (text via FAO FAOLEX) · 8 September 2014