Kakamega upgrades water systems to end rationing

Kakamega residents could receive a more reliable water supply before Christmas following upgrades to treatment facilities, increased water production and repairs to damaged distribution pipes by the Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KACWASCO).

The company has completed desludging the Tindinyo treatment lagoons and rehabilitated the Savona water treatment plant as part of measures to improve supply and end water rationing in the county headquarters.

KACWASCO Chief Executive Officer Charles Tung’a said the interventions were aimed at addressing production challenges that have affected the availability of water, particularly during periods of high demand.

One of the major improvements involved replacing smaller intake valves at the Savona plant with a larger valve, raising its water intake capacity from 1,000 cubic metres to 6,000 cubic metres per day. The company has also rehabilitated the old treatment plant and storage facilities to strengthen its ability to process and distribute water.

Tung’a expressed confidence that the improvements would help the utility maintain a consistent supply, setting a target of eliminating rationing between November and February.

“I want to ensure there’s no water rationing between November and February, and I want this to be the measure of performance,” he said.

The company attributed some of the previous supply constraints to the condition of the Tindinyo intake, where accumulated sludge had reduced the volume of water available for treatment. The facility had gone more than one and a half years without desludging, limiting its capacity and affecting operations.

The removal of accumulated sludge is expected to restore the lagoons’ capacity and improve treatment operations, while the rehabilitation of the Savona plant will help increase the volume of water available to consumers.

Beyond treatment and production, KACWASCO is replacing damaged pipes in Rosterman, Musaa, Ikonyero and Lurambi estates. The repairs are intended to reduce distribution problems and improve the reliability of supplies to households and businesses.

The company has also reorganised its operations by dividing Kakamega town into four zones, each managed by a supervisor and supporting staff. The arrangement is intended to strengthen accountability, improve service delivery and help teams meet revenue collection targets.

Tung’a warned that illegal water connections would not be tolerated, adding that all those involved would be held accountable, including senior county government officials. Illegal connections can undermine revenue collection and disrupt the fair distribution of water to paying customers.

The utility is also seeking to improve its financial position to support operations and infrastructure maintenance. Tung’a said monthly revenue had increased from Sh24 million when he took over four months earlier to approximately Sh30 million, with the company targeting a potential monthly collection of Sh50 million.

Meanwhile, KACWASCO has issued notices to residents who have erected structures on sewer lines, directing them to clear the affected areas ahead of anticipated heavy rains. Encroachments can obstruct sewer maintenance and complicate efforts to address blockages and other sanitation problems.

The company’s performance will now be measured against its commitment to end rationing and provide a more dependable water supply. The success of the upgrades will depend on sustained maintenance, effective distribution, protection of water infrastructure and improved management of the utility’s operations.

For Kakamega residents, the immediate expectation is that the expanded treatment capacity and pipe repairs will translate into more consistent water supplies, particularly during the November-to-February period targeted by the company.