Nairobi Residents to Continue Struggling With Water Shortage Despite Heavy Rains
Nairobi residents will continue struggling with water shortages and rationing despite the fact that Ndakaini and Sasumua dams are full following heavy rains in the Aberdares.
The trend has been blamed on the lower than the most favorable capacity of transmission pipes.
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) Managing Director Nahashon Muguna yesterday said that the remaining pipes can pump 525,600 cubic metres per day, which is well below the daily water demand of the city’s growing population.
The existing lines were originally fixed to serve the city up to the year 2000 but the government has not improved the infrastructure to meet the rising demand.
City residents currently face water shortages with areas such as Lang’ata, Umoja and Kawangware some of the hardest-hit. This water crisis has pushed many residents to rely on illegal connections, kiosks and vendors.
Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company started rationing water to city residents in 2017 due to fast reducing water levels in Ndakaini but this has continued even after the dam filled up.
Residents in different parts of the capital city receive water on specific days of the week, some for a few days, others for just a few hours.
In some estates, residents go for weeks without the precious commodity.
The county government is banking on the completion of the 11.8-kilometre long Northern Water Collector Tunnel to stabilise supply. The line is set for completion in December next year.
The new line will primarily collect floodwater from Maragua, Gikige and Irati rivers in Murang’a and drain into Ndakaini dam, although this will still not alleviate the problem of water shortage until the city pipeline system is upgraded.
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