§1What this business is
Water meters measure flow in pipes; the common types are semi-positive and inferential, in sizes of 15, 25, 40 and 50 mm. Parts are turned on lathes, milled and drilled, plastic parts are injection-moulded, and the meters are assembled and tested.
Capacity: 6,000 meters a year (the profile's column says quintals), valued at ₹43.33 L.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A machinist or instrument maker who can handle tenders and approvals.
Who it is not for
Someone without precision machining experience.
Advantages
- Water boards and smart-city projects install meters
- New apartments need meters per flat
- Precision engineering skill is rewarded
- Small, easy-to-ship product
Drawbacks
- Very thin surplus in the profile
- Government buyers need approvals and tenders
- Accuracy testing is strict
- Large meter makers dominate tenders
Skills you need
- Precision turning and milling
- Meter calibration and testing
- Tender paperwork
- Quality control
Why difficulty 4/5: Precision work, approvals and a very thin margin in the profile.
§3Market
Who buys
- Municipal water boards and Jal Jeevan projects
- Builders and housing societies
- Industries
How it sells
- Government tenders
- Plumbing and sanitary dealers
- Direct supply to contractors
Good to know
- The profile lists meter sizes of 15, 25, 40 and 50 mm.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Precision lathe, 340 mm swing, with accessories | 1 | — |
| Capstan lathe, 25 mm bar capacity | 1 | — |
| High-speed production lathe, 32 mm bar capacity | 1 | — |
| Universal milling machine, 40 × 9 inch bed, with dividing head | 1 | — |
| Hand-operated injection moulding machine | 1 | — |
| High-speed bench drilling machine, 12 mm | 1 | — |
| All equipment above | total | ₹10,30,000 |
From: KVIC Project Profile — Water Meter (PMEGP)
- Metal and plastic parts for meter bodies and mechanismsraw material ₹25.00 L a year in the profile (items not listed separately)
- Labels and packing material₹1.00 L a year
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam registration
- GST
- Legal Metrology manufacturer licence and model approval (water meters are measuring instruments)
- BIS certification or registration if a quality control order covers your product — check the current list
- Factory licence if you cross the Factories Act limits
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
PMEGP and MUDRA both fit a ₹17.55 L project; CGTMSE for collateral-free credit.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: Equipment ₹10.30 L (capital expenditure; land own, work shed rented) + working capital ₹7.25 L = ₹17.55 L.
Working capital: Working capital ₹7.25 L; the profile works out ₹7.28 L per cycle.
Year not printed on the KVIC profile — check current machinery prices.
§8Export potential
Export council / board: Not verified yet
- No HS code or export body has been checked against an official list yet.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Losing tenders on price
- Rejected batches in accuracy tests
- Brass and plastic price rise
- Slow government payments
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working water meter manufacturing unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam registration, GST), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Water Meter Manufacturing?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.