New wastewater treatment plant to be built in Kisumu, Kenya

A new wastewater treatment plant is set to be constructed in Kisumu County, Kenya. Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) for Home Affairs and Coordination of the Kenyan national government, Winnie Guchu announced that the project is part of Kenya’s Sustainable Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Programme. In this context, China Henan International Cooperation Group (Chico) is building and rehabilitating several other wastewater treatment facilities in the Kenyan cities of Kiambu and Ruaka.

The plant will be developed funded by the Water Sector Trust Fund, will be developed built near the Kodiaga prison in the west of the country. Works will start in October 2021 and upon completion, it is expected to serve 10,000 people, including 7,000 residents of Kodiaga prison and 3000 area residents.

Poor investment

“The water that comes out of the plant will be free of impurities, safe and odourless, and can be discharged safely into the environment. Currently, wastewater from Kodiaga prison is disposed of through a sewage system,” said Guchu.

The construction of the Kisumu wastewater treatment plant is expected to cost more than US $364,000. The Water Sector Trust Fund recently awarded a grant for the implementation of the sanitation project. The Kenyan government will contract Kisumu Water Supply and Sanitation Company (Kiwasco) to operate the new wastewater treatment plant.

Due to poor investment in the water sector, only a fraction of the city’s water demand is met through surface water works. The main water treatment works are situated in Dunga, on the shore of Lake Victoria. Massive pumps are used to lift water from Lake Victoria to the treatment plant.