Why Nairobi Residents Will Continue Facing Longer Water Rationing
Nairobi and its neighbouring counties are in for longer stretches without piped water after production at the Ngethu and Kigoro treatment plants fell by 35 per cent. Residents have been urged to use what they have sparingly.
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (Nairobi Water) blames the cut on weak inflows into Ndakaini Dam, where rainfall in the catchment area has stayed below average.
The effect will not stop at the city boundary. Seven water companies draw from the same supply system, and their customers should expect longer rationing periods. Apart from Nairobi Water, they are:
- Githunguri Water and Sanitation Company, serving Githunguri and nearby areas in Kiambu County
- Kiambu Water and Sanitation Company, covering parts of Kiambu County
- Karuri Water and Sanitation Company, also in Kiambu County
- Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company, serving parts of Machakos County
- Oloolaiser Water and Sewerage Company, covering parts of Kajiado and Nairobi counties
- Olkejuado Water and Sewerage Company, serving parts of Kajiado County
“The reduction in production takes effect immediately and is likely to result in extended water rationing periods for customers served by the affected water service providers,” the company said.
According to Nairobi Water, storage at Thika Dam, the main source for the city and its surroundings, has dropped enough to force the utility to draw less water and protect what remains.
It described the move as temporary and said it is meant to keep supplies going over the coming months. Production levels will be reviewed from time to time, depending on how the reservoir recovers and how much rain falls.
The company appealed to customers to use water carefully, avoid waste and keep it for essential household and other critical needs.
The announcement came barely a day after a separate notice from Nairobi Water about a scheduled 24-hour shutdown, running from 8am on Monday, November 9, to 8am on Tuesday, November 10. The shutdown will allow crews to install new pipe connections near Kianda School, off Waiyaki Way, as part of work to make supply more reliable.
Estates and neighbourhoods affected include Westlands, Riverside, Parklands, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Lavington, Upper Hill, Lower Hill, Madaraka, Langata, Kibera, Jamhuri, Woodley and parts of Ngong Road. Several hospitals and other institutions are also on the list.
The two developments are unrelated. The shutdown is a one-off, planned interruption in specific parts of the city for infrastructure work, while the rationing that follows the production cut will be wider and longer.
Nairobi Water apologised for the inconvenience caused by both and asked customers to conserve water while it manages the reduced supply.
Read Also: Nairobi Water Announces 29-Hour Water Supply Shutdown In Several Nairobi Estates
