Nairobi Water Explains Shortage, Rationing Despite Full Capacity Dams

• Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company said that the abundance of water in dams did not translate to an abundance of supply
• The company disclosed that the city is supplied by four dams which treat over 500 million litres of water daily
• A statement by the company director indicated that some parts of Nairobi would continue receiving water on a rotational basis to ensure every customer is reached

Michael Ollinga is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 10 years of experience covering courts and crimes, special reports, and current affairs in Kenya.

The Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company has announced that city residents will continue to experience shortages of water despite their dams being filled.

Rainfall in Kenya 2024

According to the company, the ongoing rainfall has ensured that all dams supplying Nairobi residents with water are full.

On this basis, Nairobians questioned why they did not get water supply more consistently, yet the dams were filled.

Who is the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company's boss?

In a statement by the firm's managing director, Nahason Muguna, the company explained why Nairobians would still get water in turns, according to their location in the city.

Muguna disclosed that Nairobi has four water sources, including Kikuyu Springs, Ruiru, Sasumua, and Thika dams.

"The water is treated in Ngethu, Sasumua, Kabete Water Treatment Works and Kikuyu Springs. They have an installed maximum daily production capacity of 440 million, 61 million, 20 million, and 4 million litres respectively," the company said.

This means that the four dams' daily maximum production capacity is 525.6 million litres of water.

According to the company, their daily maximum production does not match the daily demand of 900 million litres.

"Our water supply to the city is limited to the installed production of 525.6 million litres per day. This means even if our dams are overflowing, our supply will remain constant and cannot go beyond the installed capacity," the company explained.

For this reason, Nairobi residents will have to continue bearing with water rationing, with the company explaining that it is the only way to ensure that every connected resident gets at least a one-day supply per week.

It referred to rationing as an equitable water distribution programme.

"Further, the ongoing flooding in the city has washed away some of the water supply pipelines, affecting our services and causing certain areas to receive low-pressure water supply," the company explained.

Water shortages are a nationwide problem, and some people have capitalised on the demand for safe and clean water to invest in the supply of this important commodity.

Dorcas Arasa, who capitalised on the situation in 2016, grew her water supply business and is now running a successful catering company on top of her primary investment.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke

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Nairobi Water Explains Shortage, Rationing Despite Full Capacity Dams

Nairobi Water explains why residents are experiencing rationing despite