Just an idea i have based on bottled water...what consists in the development of a bottled water company?

In greece theres a law forbidding the sale of bottled water for under 50 cents, thast where my idea is going

hmmm i heard business like this is booming in many cities in asia

There's a HUGE abundance of suitable water that is reasonably close to major markets. The raw product is CHEAP, needs no processing, is little regulated and bottling plant is very cheap, but if you don't want to buy bottling plant then just move the water by truck to a suitable bottler. That's EASY.

Now comes the HARD part.

Selling it. Have fun in an already overcrowded market that is FULL of superb brand names, backed by companies with DEEP pockets for promotion and are in there for the long term. They bottle in huge quantities so they can drop thier price near endlessly to keep out any smarties who think they can take the big bottlers on in thier own game.

The raw product cost is from 0.1c to 1c per litre depending on what's in it.

Bottling will cost you 3c to 10c per bottle.

Promotion, distribution and sales will cost you millions.

But, there's more than one way to skin a cat (sorry cat-lovers). You can add things into the water and there's a lot you can do. One bottler put a simple additive into his drink, got lots of FREE media attention and had millions buy his bottled water.

Just my opinion :

Water will be still water.
What could make the difference against big brand names is the bottle itself.

In order to sell water to people that already have water, you need to convince them that your water is good and their's is badOr at least that your water is somehow better or more healthy.

That's why lots of people will never buy bottled water ... they know it's mostly hype.

Thats' also why lots of people do buy bottled water. They have no idea.

Now, if you could get a supply/source of good, pure water to a place that has either no water, or truly bad water ...

As the bottled water market has developed we've seen many suppliers add things to the water or make claims about their water in order to differentiate their product from the myriad number of others in the market.

Classics like Perrier, although under seige will do well without any changes.

Perception is everything and if you can develop an image like Perrier, or even link your bottled water with a common alcoholic drink then you'll be assured of high levels of sales.

You can add vitamins, minerals, flavors, add micro-nutrients or even supply it as a drink that elevates your IQ by adding specific vitamins and minerals that do this. Of course you could add stamina-improving nutrients for hikers and that type or supply a specific water that caters to the gym crowd and has nutrients specific to them.

There is no specific kid's bottled water drink. I don't think they are being marketed to yet so there may be opportunities there.

No one has thought of supplying a bottle split in two parts with two flavors available. Or even a bottle with a flavor supplement. How about a hip-flask sized bottle? - Would people buy the water to get the bottle to re-use again and again for their alcohol? Is there a doggy bottle of water with good doggy things in it?

How about an alcohol flavored water but no alcohol? Is it possible? How about introducing exotic waters like Antarctic, Ice-berg, Arctic, Mt. St. Helens, Everest where they are really obtained from those locations...

I know, you are thinking about the cost to obtain the water from those exotic locations.

How about exotic waters from aquifers that are millions of years old? Could that be a good seller? Could water obtained from the same aquifers that the ancient Romans used be a good seller?

I suppose the really best way is to establish a brand name, get your water on the shelves of convenience stores right next to the best selling brands so that your (slightly cheaper) water is preferred over the big brand water.

Farmers who have high grade aquifers under their land do very well. Maybe it's best to be such a farmer than a water marketer.

Finally... what's the next step from bottled water?

I remember that, in Japan, I saw chocolate candies that were shaped like dog excrements.
How about yellowish water ( maybe apple juice ) sold in urinary bags ? ahaha
I believe there is always a market for the fun factor .... but it's not a long lasting one.

Alaskan Falls was bottled at a plant next to my house when I lived in Ohio.

I didn't realize I had Alaska Waterfalls in my backyard.

I am not a fan of bottled water. I use a PUR watertap on the faucet and that does just fine. However when I do get bottled water it is the Vitamin Water. Vitamins plus a little flavor seems more reasonable for paying the $1.50/bottle rather than something like Dasani where they just filter it a couple times which you can do at your own house for dirt cheap.

Hey, in my state we are the home of Poland Springs...

There is a difference between bottled purified water, and spring water. There has also been some concern about plastic bottles and certain filter processes, as far as health concerns, and chemicals leeching out of the plastic.

I think that marketing to set your brand above others would be the biggest hurdle.

Or actually having better, purer water.

If, for example, your area is known for its "safe but smelly water" and you have a natural artesian well that pours out laborartory tested, scientifically proven "pure" water, free of all the contaminants found in the typical domestic water supply, AND you could set up a bottling and distribution operation ...

My point is, with the right opportunity, the right product, at the right time, marketing often takes care of itself after only an initial launch.

OTOH, if you're filling bottles with filtered or "purified" tap water and selling it as something special, your in for the long haul.