Nakuru Rural Water and Sanitation Company Targets Infrastructure Upgrade

Nakuru, Kenya – Nakuru Rural Water and Sanitation Company (NARUWASCO) is set to boost its performance and revenue through technical capacity improvements aimed at minimizing water losses due to aging infrastructure. Currently, the Water Service Provider (WSP) faces a significant challenge with over 40 percent of its water generation lost to old and deteriorating piping systems.

According to Kenya News Agency, efforts are underway to secure additional resources, both locally and internationally, for new water projects and the enhancement of existing water and sewerage infrastructure. The company is working with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and other stakeholders to ensure access to clean and sufficient water for Nakuru residents, aligning with the constitutional right to clean water.

The MD revealed NARUWASCO’s engagement in a five-year program with Aquaya, supported by USAID, to provide technical assistance in water quality management, focusing on rural areas. The goal is to achieve 100 percent clean water connectivity, balancing water quality improvements with affordability concerns.

Mr. Korir highlighted the urgent need to upgrade the water infrastructure, aiming to reduce water loss from 47 percent to 20 percent. He emphasized that nearly half of the produced water is currently lost, impacting the supply to a growing consumer base.

Speaking in Nakuru, Mr. Korir outlined NARUWASCO’s strategic policies to address water loss from leaking pipes, prioritizing speedy and effective repairs. The firm is implementing active leakage control mechanisms, asset and pressure management, and complying with provisions outlined in the Constitution and Water Act 2016.

Despite progress in reducing water loss from 70 percent to 20 percent, Mr. Korir expressed concern over the ongoing challenges that undermine the realization of the right to water and the national goal of universal water access by 2030. The Water and Sanitation Providers Association (WASPA) reports that water companies lose about 45 percent of their water to theft, leakages, and wastage, costing Kenya approximately Shs 112 billion annually and risking the solvency of these companies.

Physical losses, Mr. Korir explained, are primarily due to leakages, bursts, and overflows in aged infrastructure, while commercial losses stem from illegal connections, meter errors, and unmetered connections. Addressing these losses requires substantial investment in modern metering technologies and cultural shifts among staff and customers.

The Water Services Regulatory Board’s 2021/22 report shows Non-Revenue Water (NRW) levels have consistently remained at 45 percent for the past three years, well above the acceptable threshold of 20 percent. NRW refers to water that is distributed but lost or wasted before reaching consumers, often unnoticed.

Kenya’s water resource research by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) indicates a national loss of 430,000 cubic meters of water worth Sh12.2 billion, translating to an annual financial loss of approximately Sh11.2 billion. This significant water loss presents a challenge for counties, with many reporting inactive connections exceeding 50 percent, threatening the sustainability of utility services.

The Water Services and Regulatory Board categorizes NRW levels under 20 percent as good, 20-25 percent as acceptable, and over 25 percent as not acceptable.