Even as we mark “World Water Day 2022,” the Nakuru Water shortage menace continues to bite on thousands of Nakuru City residents.
For the last few weeks, the Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company Ltd. (NAWASSCO) has been rationing the water distributed to different estates in Nakuru. The company says that the acute shortage has been occasioned by “physical water scarcity” due to the long dry period since October last year.
The theme for this year’s World Water Day is “Ground Water, Making the Invisible Visible” and NAWASSCO reveals that the bulk of its water supply is groundwater; rivers and boreholes. In a statement released last week, the company says that its water sources have been adversely affected by the prolonged drought period.
“We are currently experiencing physical water scarcity as a result of the dry season. As you are aware, our source of water is from rivers and boreholes. Unfortunately, Meroreni, Malewa River and our bulk water supplier who source water from Turasha River have been adversely affected by lack of rain,” read the statement released by NAWASSCO Managing Director.
The company reveals that even in good times, it is not able to provide enough water to Nakuru City residents. This had been one of the issues that had been raised by the proponents who wanted the conferment of Nakuru City’s status delayed by a few years.
As it currently stands, the County government is only able to meet less than 60% of the water requirements for Nakuru City residents even on a good day.
“Our water production is 40,000M³ per day against a demand of about 70,000M³ a day,” revealed NAWASSCO. Currently, the company says its production capacity had come down to just 30,000M³.
“I have been forced to buy water from water vendors for the last two weeks,” says Esther Wanjiru a resident of Mwariki in Rhoda Ward.
With each 20-litre container going for Kshs. 30 and above, the cost is a huge burden for the majority of residents who are low-income earners.
“In addition, the safety of the water sold by vendors cannot be ascertained since we can’t be sure about the source,” adds Esther concerning the water bought from vendors.
Esther and many other women going through the same predicament feel the county government has failed to put measures in place to deal with the recurring water shortages in Nakuru.