85% of Nairobi to experience interruption of water supply: What has led to it, and list of areas to be affected

At least 85 per cent of estates and commercial centres in Nairobi will experience interrupted water supply for several hours on Friday, May 1, the Nairobi Water Company has announced.

The firm says the supply interruption arises after one of the main treatment facilities experienced an operational glitch.

“Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Company Ltd. has today (Friday, May 1) shut down production at Ng’ethu treatment works, which serves 85 per cent of Nairobi City County population,” said the firm in a press statement signed by its managing director.

“This is due to heavy downpour of rainfall (79mm) in the Aberdare Ranges – our main catchment area. There has seen increased river flow causing very high turbidity in the raw water which is flowing slurry and suspected to be caused by a landslide upstream,” said Nairobi Water.

“This has necessitated the closing of the Ng’ethu water treatment plant to avoid transmission of water which does not meet the World Health Organization standards, which we ascribe to. Water supply in the city is expected to resume by 6pm today (May 1).”

The agency said Nairobi is now relying on water from Sasumua, Kikuyu Springs and Ruiru dams, which only supply 15 per cent of the entire city.

“More or less, the whole of Nairobi City County and its environs will experience water supply interruption,” said Nairobi Water.

“Ng’ethu water works is designed to treat water efficiently with water of less turbidity. However, the raw water flowing into the treatment plant has failed to respond to the chemicals used to treat the same, and solutions are underway to ensure the treatment process is operationalised and normalised,” added the firm.

The areas listed for interruption include: the entire city centre (UoN main campus, Industrial Area, Coca Cola factory, JKIA, EPZ-Athi River, among others).

The residential areas to be affected include: South B, South C and other neighbourhoods along Mombasa Road, Mathare, Eastleigh, Airforce Base, Huruma, Kariobangi, Pangani, Maringo, Buruburu, Bahati, other estates along Jogoo Road, Baba Dogo, Dandora, Umoja, Donholm, Fedha, Tassia, Embakasi, and other areas along Outering Road.

The other estates to experience water shortage include: Kangundo Road, Ruai, Kayole, Komarock, Njiru, Kenya Breweries, Kenyatta University, Kahawa Barracks and Sukari estates, Kasarani, Mwiki, Garden Estate and Thome Estate on Thika Road.

Estates along Limuru Road and Parklands area, including Ngara, Aga Khan Hospital, City Park, Gigiri, Muthaiga, among others will also be affected.