In Efforts To Resolve Water Rationing In Laikipia
The effects of this year's dry season and the lateness of the short rains have been felt across the country, Laikipia also witnessing the harsh impacts of such occasions. The main rivers in the county dried up which has forced the water companies to exercise water rationing for over a month.
Normally, the Nanyuki Water and Sewerage Company (Nawasco) which serves mostly the areas of Laikipia East and parts of the neighboring counties, demand for this commodity is usually above the supply, a case that also happens in Nyahuwaso. The situation calls for an alternative that will address the issue in a longer-term for sustainability.
The demand for Water from Nawasco on a normal day is 14,000m3, but the supply is usually 10,000m3 to 12,000m3 per day. We are addressing this together with the national government by doing the Nanyuki Bulk water which draws water from Mt. Kenya. We also want to shift to the Aberdare ranges to ensure consistent supply.
said Hon. Peter Matunge, CECM Water and Natural Resources.
The logic behind the move is to have a guarantee of water supply and bid goodbye to water rationing. Usually, when there are no rains in the Mt. Kenya catchment area, the alternative focus will be on the Aberdare catchment area.
The company has also engaged Murang' a Water Resource Authority to abstract water from River Honi which will see it get 8 to 10 million liters of water. The design work has already kicked off for this project and will take around nine months. The source of water which is above the one for Solio intake to the treatment area will cover around 66 km and will increase the company's supply by 10,000m3 per day.
In the area around Laikipia West, the government is addressing the non-renewable water by ensuring no water, especially from the water company is unaccounted for because of leakages from old pipes.
The government also continues with other efforts of getting water like water pans, drilling and equipping boreholes, and construction, and desilting of dams, among others.
Public sensitization on water management is also key to ensuring whenever there is a faulty structure in the source of community water, the issue is raised and addressed quickly.
