Expansion of water and sewerage connectivity in three counties under the Nairobi Metropolitan will cost Sh 206 billion.In a report dubbed ‘Bridging the Water and Sewerage Demand for Nairobi, Murang’a and Kiambu, Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) plans to increase water storage capacity by an additional 461,000 cubic metres.
The programme seeks to inject 102,500 cubic meters daily and expand the water treatment plants to handle 318,500 cubic metres daily.
A report by Acting CEO Eng Joseph Kamau and Chairman Charles Karondo indicates that only 72.1 percent of the residents in Nairobi and parts of Kiambu have access to potable water channeled from Ndaka ini dam, Sasumua, Kikuyu Springs, Karemenu 11, and Ruiru dam to their homes.
Kamau said presently production from the five sources is at 639,683m³/day against the demand of 810,000m3/day. Northern Collector Tunnel (NCT) will be extended from Tuthu to South Mathioya river to fetch an additional 1.53 cubic metres of water per second.
In the report dated March 8, 2024, Athi management projects to increase the water production to 1,000,000m³/day by the year 2035.
” The planned projects to inject additional water include Maragua 4 dam in Murang’a county at Sh 35 billion, Ruiru IIdam–Sh 20 billion, NCT 11-Sh12 billion. Others are Ndarugu II Dam–Sh15 billion, Kamiti Dam Sh5 billion, and Gatamaiyu Dam–Sh 15 billion.,” said Kamau.
In the sewerage projects, the coverage in the three counties is at 95 percent and lower in Murang’a at five percent, Nairobi at 51 percent and Kiambu 16 percent. In the report, a new sewerage facility is under construction at Kenol market in Murang’a with a capacity of 3,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day.
“Currently, 63 percent of wastewater is safely contained but only about 38% is safely managed. This is due to challenges Presented during emptying,transportation and treatment,” said the CEO.
Karondo said the programmes will be financed through exchequer budget allocations, development partners, private sector and internal revenue generating. In the meantime, Athi is committed to establish new water sources designed to produce 102,500m3/day, as well as develop additional water transmission networks covering 443 kilometres.
“This plan provides the framework necessary for effective engagement of the private sector in resource mobilization and collaboration with stakeholders in successful implementation of the strategies,” said Karondo.
He added that in the provision for sewerage facilities in the Nairobi 22 informal sectors it will spend Sh32.1 billion.
In Murang’a county, the projects funded by Athi are Gatango water supply, Gatango water supply extension, and Kenol Makutano water and sewerage of Sh1.3 billion.
The counties have a population of 9.3 million. In Murang’a only 60 percent of the residents have access to water, Kiambu 59 percent and Nairobi 80 percent.