What You Need to Know
The State Department of Water and Sanitation has announced a five-day water disruption affecting Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kajiado counties. The interruption, starting April 6, is due to maintenance on the Northern Collector Tunnel Bulk Water System. Residents are advised to store water in advance and use it sparingly during this period.
Africa-Press – Kenya. The State Department of Water and Sanitation has announced that Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Muranga, and Machakos counties will be facing five days without water due to a planned shutdown of a major bulk water system starting Monday.
In a notice released on March 1, the ministry, through the Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA), confirmed that the interruption would affect the Northern Collector Tunnel Bulk Water System (NCTBW), the pipeline that delivers 140 million liters of clean water to these counties every day.
“Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) wishes to inform the public, stakeholders, and all consumers that there will be a scheduled five-day interruption of water supply on the Northern Collector Tunnel (NCT) Bulk Water System,” stated the ministry.
The shutdown, as per the notice kicks off from April 6 at 8:00 AM and runs until April 11 at 8:00 AM, meaning residents face a full five days without supply from this critical water network.
Within these five days, AWWDA says it will install new valves and fittings and strengthen sections of the pipeline, which will form part of the broader bulk water transmission infrastructure across the region.
The works will focus on the Raw Water Gravity Transmission Pipeline (RWGT) running from Thika and Ndakaini Dam to the Kigoro Water Treatment Plant, a stretch that is central to the region’s daily water supply.
Treated water pipelines from the Kigoro Water Treatment Plant to the Gigiri Reservoir will also be worked on, as the agency moves to have the new bulk water pipeline from Thika Dam to Gigiri fully operational.
“This interruption is necessary to facilitate critical installation and strengthening works for the Raw Water Gravity Transmission Pipeline from Thika/Ndakaini Dam to Kigoro Water Treatment Plant and Treated Water Gravity Transmission Pipelines from Kigoro Water Treatment Plant to Gigiri Reservoir,” stated part of the notice.
The shutdown will affect customers of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC), Gatanga Water and Sanitation Company (GWSC), Oloolaiser Water and Sewerage Company (OWSC), the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA), and Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), key authorities that supply water to the aforementioned affected areas in the directive.
AWWDA is urging residents and institutions to store adequate water before the shutdown begins and to use it sparingly throughout the five days, so that whatever is stored lasts until supply resumes on Saturday.
“Residents and institutions within these supply zones are advised to store adequate water before the shutdown and to use water sparingly throughout the interruption period,” the ministry urged.
The works are part of a wider government push to strengthen the regional water network, and once complete, the upgraded pipeline from Thika Dam through Kigoro to Gigiri Reservoir is expected to boost long-term water supply.
The ministry stresses that normal supply through the NCT Bulk Water System is expected to resume on Saturday, April 11, at 8:00 AM, once AWWDA confirms all installation and strengthening works have been completed within the scheduled timeframe.
Water supply management in Kenya has faced numerous challenges, particularly in urban areas like Nairobi. The Northern Collector Tunnel Bulk Water System plays a crucial role in supplying clean water to millions. Planned maintenance and upgrades are essential to ensure the reliability and efficiency of water distribution systems, especially as urban populations continue to grow. The government’s efforts to enhance infrastructure reflect a commitment to improving public services and addressing water scarcity issues in the region.
