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Mrs.
Elizabeth Lowe leading the presentation |
The KLDA Water prsentation was held at the Karen
Country Club on June 7. Members who attended were briefed
on various issues affecting the supply of water in Karen &
Langata areas and what residents can do to conserve the little
water available.
The presentation had six components: water legislation, water
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Mr.
Michael Airy of the KLDA water sub-committee points
out the locations of boreholes to be rehabilitated. |
sources for the area, reasons for water shortages, measures
to improve water supplies, water billing, and individual responsibility
for water usage (be water-wise). The talk was followed by introductions
to senior management of the Nairobi Water Services Board and
the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company.
Measures to improve supplies
Apart from the 2002 legislation that should improve supplies
of water there is also a World Bank funded project that includes
institutional strengthening of a new service delivery framework,
immediate service delivery improvements and a communications
programme. A follow on programme will look at future water
supplies for Nairobi.
Work is underway at the three dams to increase capacity
and work recommenced in March on the stalled Kenyatta Avenue
Pumping Station, which should take about six months before
more water becomes available to the western parts of the city.
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Mr.
Kabando wa Kabando, Chairman of the Nairobi City Water
& Sewerage Company addressing members. |
Off takes and interference with supply are being looked at,
some solutions being the education of consumers and community
leaders, the weeding out of ‘bad eggs’ among company staff
and effective law enforcement.
Other technical work is being undertaken at the Kikuyu Springs
complex to prevent off takes and two non-return valves are
being installed where the Kabete and
Kikuyu Springs lines interconnect.
Also designed to improve supply, old Ministry boreholes that
used to serve this area (Resurrection Road (2), Miotoni Lane,
Tree Lane and Mbagathi Ridge) are being rehabilitated. Once
opened (all commissioning should be complete by early 2006)
these could increase water supply by approximately 650,00
litres per day. Phase II, with the possibility of rehabilitating
six more boreholes will depend on budget available.
A Few Extra Points
The spindle of the valve that releases water at the Dagoretti
reservoir is being repaired. (There was some wastage of water.)
Work on rehabilitation of boreholes is progressing: would
expect to hear that the Miotoni Road and Resurrection Road
areas are receiving a fairly ‘normal’ supply before long,
with others following in the coming months. Details of the
extent of the area to be served around Miotoni will come from
Mr. Cheluleh. We would then expect the water available at
present to go further.
Effects of Ruiru work/Kenyatta Ave pumping station should
be seen around September/ October, which will be offset to
some extent by reduced water from Sasumua once into the dry
season.
Apparently attempts are being made by the water company to
identify and encourage accounts to be opened by those with
illegal connections around Dagoretti.
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Kikuyu
Springs supply (serving Hardy Estate plus adjacent areas)
is fairly dependable and a water distribution schedule can
be worked out in advance. (Those on e-mail can receive this
schedule each week – ask at the KLDA office for details, or
see the notice board at Langata Link where this information
is also posted). However, water flowing into the Dagoretti
reservoir (serving Karen/Langata/Bogani roads and adjacent
areas) is not so reliable and a planned schedule may not necessarily
be adhered to. 
