New Sh1 billion project to boost water supply

By Charles Ngeno

Narok, Kenya: Residents of Narok town are set to benefit from a new water supply system once augmentation of the current one is complete.

Narok Water and Sewerage Company Managing Director Wilson Pere said the project that is being funded by the Japanese government is estimated to cost Sh1.1 billion.

Pere added that the project would enable the company triple its daily production to 4,000 cubic metres from the current 1,700 cubic metres.

“We are putting up a 2 million-litre reservoir and increasing the piped network to 80km within the town,” he said, adding that the improvements would meet the town’s water demand until 2020.

Currently, the piped network within town goes only up to 40km and this has forced the company to license a private water supplier to meet demand.

“The town’s water supply system was last improved in 1981 and cannot meet the needs of the current population of over 100,000 people. Once the project is complete we will have an extra 5,000 connections, up from the current 2,300,” said Pere.

Bill defaulters

The director revealed that the company has continued to incur huge operational costs from water bill defaulters and burst water pipes. “We lose Sh14 million annually due to water bill defaulters,” said Pere.

He also said revenue collection has increased from the average Sh400,000 in 2008 to Sh1.8 million per month.

County Water Engineer Michael Otieno said the current system is old and often overstretched by the annual influx during the wheat harvest season and the wildebeest migration.