The Kenya Pipeline Company Limited (KPC) has announced plans to revamp the 45-year-old Nairobi to Mombasa pipeline, in order to supply water to Mombasa County.
The project aims to address the increasing demand for water in the region. According to the environmental assessment report, a section of the pipeline will be removed and refurbished to enable water supply. The project will cover eight counties, namely Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, and Mombasa.
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Demand for drinking water
The areas along the pipeline’s Right of Way (ROW) have experienced significant population growth, leading to higher demand for drinking water. The main water source for these areas is the Mzima springs, which currently has only one 80mm reinforced concrete pipeline constructed in the 1950s.
While acknowledging health concerns associated with the project, KPC assures that measures will be taken to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the pipes. The agency has already conducted tests using various cleaning processes to determine the project’s feasibility. Water pigging, a cleaning method using water, has been performed from Mombasa to Nairobi, with regular testing for petroleum compounds to ensure compliance with drinking water quality regulations. KPC is also consulting with experts to implement appropriate internal and external coating of the pipeline to maintain water quality and pipeline integrity in line with Kenya’s drinking water standards.
The pipeline reuse is expected to occur between Mzima Spring and Mombasa, covering an estimated distance of 215 kilometers. Other sections of the pipeline will be completely removed and sold as scrap metal, with an estimated disposal value of Ksh2,216,528,448. KPC anticipates that the entire project will take 12 months to complete after receiving approval from all relevant authorities.