Nakuru County in Kenya wants to reduce the water consumption of people and industries by an average of 20-30%. To achieve this, the local authorities are banking on “intelligent” conservation of this resource, which is currently under pressure from a number of factors, including climate change. Nakuru will benefit from the technical support of the Dutch consultancy company, Vitens Evides International (VEI), with which it has just concluded a partnership. The company, founded in 2005, will support the county in improving its water management operations and extending services to the poor.
VEI will support the Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company (NAWASSCO), which provides water and sanitation in urban areas, the Nakuru Rural Water and Sanitation Company (NARUWASCO), which provides water in rural areas, and the Naivasha Water Sewerage and Sanitation Company (NAIVAWASS), which provides public water services in the Naivasha district.
A total investment of US$10.45 million
“These companies will have to formulate a policy that supports water recycling, develop cost-effective interventions and adopt relevant technologies,” says Nelson Maara, the newly appointed County Executive Committee Member (CECM) of the Nakuru Department of Water, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources. In addition, they will promote rainwater harvesting, repair of water leakages, drilling of deep and high flow wells, reuse of treated wastewater, among others. The aim is to avoid a drastic reduction in available water resources for consumption, sanitation, hygiene, irrigation, etc.
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Nakuru County plans to invest up to 1.3 billion Kenyan shillings (US$10.45 million) in this water project, which will also enhance food security for the people. Each water and sanitation utility in Nakuru is expected to have a budget of at least 450 million Kenyan shillings ($3.6 million) to implement the roadmap.
Inès Magoum