Ukunda water project races towards completion
Residents of Ukunda in Kwale County are expected to benefit from improved water supply following progress on a rehabilitation and expansion project that is scheduled for completion within two weeks.
A joint inspection team comprising officials from the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA), the Water and Sanitation Development Project (WSDP) and Kwale Water and Sewerage Company (KWAWASCO) recently conducted a final tour of the project to assess progress ahead of its completion.
The project includes construction of a 4,200-cubic-metre water storage reservoir at Mabokoni, installation of new transmission pipelines and conversion of nine boreholes to solar-powered systems.
Borehole drilling has reached 98 per cent completion, while solarisation works are 60 per cent complete. The remaining activities are expected to be finalised within the stated two-week timeline.
The additional storage capacity is intended to strengthen water distribution by providing a larger reserve for treated water before it is supplied to consumers. The new transmission lines will support the movement of water from production sources to the distribution network, while solar-powered boreholes are expected to reduce reliance on conventional electricity and improve the sustainability of pumping operations.
The project is particularly relevant to water service delivery in coastal communities, where growing demand, seasonal variations in water availability and the cost of operating supply infrastructure can place pressure on existing systems.
Reliable water supply is essential for households, schools, healthcare facilities, businesses and other institutions. Improvements to water storage and transmission infrastructure can help water service providers manage demand and improve the reliability of supplies to connected communities.
Solarisation also offers an opportunity to lower exposure to electricity costs and support the operation of boreholes in areas where dependable power supply can be a challenge. However, long-term benefits will depend on proper maintenance of the solar equipment, boreholes, pipelines and storage facilities.
The final inspection provides an opportunity for the implementing agencies and water service provider to assess the remaining works before the project is completed and handed over for operation.
Once operational, the upgraded infrastructure is expected to strengthen Ukunda’s water supply system and support KWAWASCO in meeting the needs of residents and other water consumers.
The project forms part of wider efforts to improve water infrastructure and service delivery in Kenya, where investments in storage, distribution networks and alternative energy sources are important to expanding reliable access to water.
Its completion will mark a key step towards improving the capacity and resilience of Ukunda’s water supply system, with effective operation and maintenance remaining essential to sustaining the benefits for the community.
