Kiwasco, Kenya set for upgrade to minimize losses

The Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (Kiwasco) in Kenya is set for a major boost following plans to improve its technical capacity and reduce losses associated with Non-Revenue Water (NRW).

The decisions follows a discovery loss of over 20,000 cubic metres (20 million litres) of water incurred due to old and dilapidated infrastructure. According to Kiwasco’s 2017-2022 strategic plan, the wastage which amounts to annual loss of over US $3.1M has stifled plans to expand coverage and threatened the financial sustainability of the company.

Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA) chief executive officer Chrispin Juma said the project to be implemented from next year will reduce NRW from the current 47% to 20%.

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LVWATSAN programme

“Due to dilapidated infrastructure, we are currently losing almost half of water which would have otherwise been available for an increasing number of consumers,” he said.

The initiative will be addressed through Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation programme (LVWATSAN) that aims to provide clean water and safe sanitation in Kisumu City and satellite towns. Non-revenue water is drinkable water distributed by service providers, but is lost or wasted before reaching the consumer, often without notice. Kenya loses 430,000 cubic metres worth US $110M, according to research on the country’s water resources, conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The US $63M LVWATSAN programme will also ensure construction of 120km of water supply in the areas of Kisumu City, Kiboswa, Bandani, Kanyamedha, Otonglo, Airport, Korando and Maseno areas to achieve 90% coverage. Mr Juma also indicated that there will be extension and rehabilitation of 100km sewer network within Mamboleo, Migosi, Manyatta, Nyamasaria, Lolwe, Kanyamedha, Bandani and Otonglo.

“We are also going to rehabilitate Nyalenda waste stabilisation ponds and Kisat wastewater treatment plants,” said Mr Juma.

LVSWWDA will also kick off the construction of a modern sewerage and sludge treatment plant within the Kisumu western corridor, including sludge treatment facilities both at Kajulu and Dunga water treatment plants.

“Feasibility studies and designs are currently ongoing and we hope to conclude the project by 2026. French Development Agency (AFD), European Investment Bank (EIB) and the government of Kenya, jointly funds the project,” he said.