Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (Nairobi Water) has cut production at the Ngethu and Kigoro treatment plants by 35 per cent. The cut took effect immediately, the company said in a public notice on Monday. It warned customers to expect longer rationing periods.
Nairobi Water blamed below-average rainfall in the catchment of Thika/Ndakaini Dam. Thika Dam, the main water source for Nairobi and surrounding areas, "has experienced a significant decline in storage levels", the company said, according to Capital FM. Lower inflows forced a temporary cut in how much water it draws, so that reserves last through the coming months.
The impact reaches beyond the capital. Seven water companies draw from the affected system, The Star reported. Besides Nairobi Water, they include the Githunguri, Kiambu and Karuri water and sanitation companies, all serving parts of Kiambu county. The others are Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company in Machakos county, Oloolaiser Water and Sewerage Company in parts of Kajiado and Nairobi, and Olkejuado Water and Sewerage Company in Kajiado.
The company did not say when normal production would resume, Pulse Live Kenya reported. Nairobi Water said it would review production volumes periodically, depending on reservoir recovery and rainfall. It urged customers to use water carefully, avoid waste and put essential household needs first. "We recognise the inconvenience that the reduced water production may cause and sincerely appeal for the public's patience, understanding and cooperation," the company said, according to Capital FM.
The notice came barely 24 hours after a separate announcement, The Star reported. Nairobi Water had already scheduled a 24-hour shutdown from 8am on Monday to 8am on Tuesday. The work will install new pipe connections near Kianda School, off Waiyaki Way.
That shutdown hits Westlands, Riverside, Parklands, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Lavington, Upper Hill, Lower Hill, Madaraka, Langata, Kibera, Jamhuri, Woodley and parts of Ngong Road. Several hospitals are also affected. Unlike the production cut, that interruption is planned, temporary and limited to specific estates, according to The Star.