Water, sanitation and hygiene services
Clean water and good sanitation are basic needs, and many Kenyan homes, schools and markets still lack them. These businesses earn while improving public health.
What these methods share
- Public health rules: county public health departments regulate many of these services.
- Safety: chemicals, sewage and confined spaces need training and protective gear.
- Trust: reliable service and clean facilities bring repeat customers.
841. Water quality testing
What it is: Testing borehole, tank and tap water for safety using test kits or a partner lab. How it works: Collect samples → test or send to lab → report and advise.
| Skills | Water testing, sampling |
| Cost & equipment | Test kits; lab partnership |
| Where to find work | Households, schools, water vendors, farms |
| Payment | Per test |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Train in water testing; partner with an accredited lab for full analysis. Pros: Important for health. Cons & risks: Kits don't replace full lab tests. Scam warning: Never issue “safe” certificates without proper tests. Kenya notes: Water vendors and refill stations need regular testing.
842. Water purification systems installer
What it is: Supplying and installing filters, UV and reverse osmosis systems for homes, schools and businesses. How it works: Test water → recommend system → install → service filters.
| Skills | Plumbing, water treatment |
| Cost & equipment | Tools, stock or supplier account |
| Where to find work | Homes, schools, clinics, restaurants |
| Payment | Per installation plus servicing |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Partner with a supplier; learn installation and filter servicing. Pros: Recurring filter sales. Cons & risks: Must match system to water quality. Scam warning: Avoid exaggerated health claims. Kenya notes: High fluoride in parts of the Rift Valley makes treatment valuable.
843. Pay toilets and ablution blocks
What it is: Running clean public toilets and showers at markets, stages and towns. How it works: Build or lease a block → charge per use → keep it clean.
| Skills | Management, cleaning |
| Cost & equipment | Construction or lease, water, cleaning supplies |
| Where to find work | Markets, bus stages, towns |
| Payment | Per use (often small fees) |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Partner with counties or market committees; prioritise cleanliness. Pros: Daily cash flow. Cons & risks: Needs constant cleaning. Scam warning: Get proper approvals and leases in writing. Kenya notes: Counties sometimes contract operators for public toilets.
844. Biodigester toilet installation
What it is: Installing toilets that treat waste in a sealed digester, suitable where sewers don't reach. How it works: Survey → build or install digester → train users.
| Skills | Construction, sanitation |
| Cost & equipment | Materials, tools |
| Where to find work | Homes, schools, rural institutions |
| Payment | Per installation |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Train with a supplier or NGO programme; start with demonstration units. Pros: Solves real sanitation problems. Cons & risks: Upfront cost for clients. Scam warning: Follow public health guidelines for siting. Kenya notes: Many rural and peri-urban areas lack sewer connections.
845. Sanitary bin servicing
What it is: Providing and emptying sanitary bins in schools and offices, with safe disposal. How it works: Install bins → scheduled collection → licensed disposal.
| Skills | Hygiene, logistics |
| Cost & equipment | Bins, transport, disposal arrangement |
| Where to find work | Schools, offices, malls, hospitals |
| Payment | Monthly contracts |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Start with a few offices; partner with a licensed disposal company. Pros: Recurring contracts. Cons & risks: Waste handling rules. Scam warning: Use licensed disposal only. Kenya notes: Girls' schools and offices need dignified menstrual hygiene services.
846. Handwashing station fabrication
What it is: Making foot-operated or tap handwashing stations for schools, markets and businesses. How it works: Design → fabricate (metal or plastic) → deliver.
| Skills | Welding or fabrication |
| Cost & equipment | Workshop tools, materials |
| Where to find work | Schools, markets, clinics, restaurants |
| Payment | Per unit |
| Realistic earnings | Low |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Make a sample; sell to schools and restaurants. Pros: Simple product. Cons & risks: Demand fluctuates. Scam warning: Agree on specs and deposits. Kenya notes: Foot-operated stations became common during COVID-19 and remain useful.
847. Greywater recycling systems
What it is: Installing systems that reuse shower and laundry water for gardens and flushing. How it works: Assess → install filters and piping → train users.
| Skills | Plumbing, design |
| Cost & equipment | Pipes, tanks, filters |
| Where to find work | Homes, schools, hotels in dry areas |
| Payment | Per project |
| Realistic earnings | Low to medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Learn safe greywater design; target water-scarce areas. Pros: Saves water. Cons & risks: Must avoid health risks. Scam warning: Never connect greywater to drinking supplies. Kenya notes: Water rationing in towns makes reuse attractive.
848. Septic tank and soak pit construction
What it is: Building septic tanks and soak pits correctly sized and sited. How it works: Site assessment → excavation → construction → inspection.
| Skills | Masonry, sanitation design |
| Cost & equipment | Tools, materials, labour |
| Where to find work | Homes, schools, developers |
| Payment | Per project |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Weeks to months |
How to start: Learn design standards; partner with builders and plumbers. Pros: Constant demand outside sewer areas. Cons & risks: Poor siting contaminates water. Scam warning: Keep tanks away from boreholes and wells as rules require. Kenya notes: Most rural and many peri-urban homes rely on septic systems.
849. Self-service laundromat
What it is: A shop with washing machines and dryers that customers pay to use, plus wash-and-fold service. How it works: Customers bring laundry → pay per load → optional service.
| Skills | Customer service, maintenance |
| Cost & equipment | High: machines, plumbing, premises |
| Where to find work | Estates, student areas, towns |
| Payment | Per load |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Choose a busy area near rentals or campuses; offer wash-and-fold. Pros: Daily customers. Cons & risks: High setup and power costs. Scam warning: Buy machines from reputable suppliers with service support. Kenya notes: Students and apartment dwellers often lack space for washing.
850. Portable toilet hire
What it is: Supplying and servicing mobile toilets for events, construction sites and gatherings. How it works: Book → deliver → service → collect.
| Skills | Logistics, sanitation |
| Cost & equipment | Toilet units, transport, exhauster access |
| Where to find work | Events, construction sites, funerals, rallies |
| Payment | Per unit per day |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Start with a few units; partner with event planners. Pros: Good margins per event. Cons & risks: Transport and cleaning costs. Scam warning: Dispose of waste only through licensed exhausters. Kenya notes: Funerals, weddings and rallies regularly hire mobile toilets.
851. Solar water heater installation
What it is: Installing solar water heaters for homes, hotels and institutions. How it works: Survey → size system → install → maintain.
| Skills | Plumbing, solar thermal |
| Cost & equipment | Tools, equipment from suppliers |
| Where to find work | Homes, hotels, hospitals, schools |
| Payment | Per installation |
| Realistic earnings | Medium |
| Time to first income | Months |
How to start: Train and get the right licence; partner with suppliers. Pros: Saves electricity. Cons & risks: Roof work; quality varies. Scam warning: Use certified equipment. Kenya notes: Kenyan regulations encourage solar water heating in larger buildings; check current requirements.
852. Water dispenser sales and servicing
What it is: Selling, cleaning and servicing water dispensers for offices and homes. How it works: Sell or lease dispensers → regular cleaning → repairs.
| Skills | Basic technical skills, hygiene |
| Cost & equipment | Stock, cleaning kits |
| Where to find work | Offices, schools, homes |
| Payment | Sales and service contracts |
| Realistic earnings | Low |
| Time to first income | Weeks |
How to start: Partner with water bottlers; offer quarterly cleaning. Pros: Recurring servicing. Cons & risks: Low margins on sales. Scam warning: Clean with safe, food-grade products. Kenya notes: Offices commonly use dispensers with bottled water.
Summary
- Water and sanitation businesses include testing, purification, pay toilets, biodigesters, sanitary bins, handwashing stations, greywater, septic tanks, laundromats, portable toilets, solar water heaters and dispenser servicing.
- County public health rules and NEMA waste rules apply.
- Protect water sources and use licensed disposal.
Check yourself
Should greywater ever connect to drinking water? (yes or no)
Show answer
no
Which mineral is high in water in parts of the Rift Valley? (one word)
Show answer
fluoride
Who should dispose of portable toilet waste? (two words: licensed ___)
Show answer
exhausters