The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (Nairobi Water) attributed the decline to below-average rainfall in the dam’s catchment area, which has reduced the amount of water flowing into the reservoir.
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The company warned that the production cut would immediately affect supply, potentially extending rationing schedules for customers served by seven water service providers that depend on the affected supply system.
Besides Nairobi Water, the affected companies include Githunguri Water and Sanitation Company, which serves Githunguri and neighbouring areas in Kiambu County; Kiambu Water and Sanitation Company, serving parts of Kiambu; and Karuri Water and Sanitation Company, which supplies other areas within the county.
Others are Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company, serving parts of Machakos County; Oloolaiser Water and Sewerage Company, which supplies parts of Kajiado and Nairobi counties; and Olkejuado Water and Sewerage Company, serving sections of Kajiado County.
In a public notice, Nairobi Water said the reduction in production was expected to take effect immediately, resulting in extended rationing for customers relying on the affected providers.
The company explained that declining water reserves at Thika Dam, one of the main sources supplying Nairobi and surrounding areas, had also necessitated a reduction in water abstraction to safeguard the available resources.
It said the temporary measure was aimed at preserving existing reserves and ensuring a more sustainable supply over the coming months.
Water production levels will be reviewed periodically depending on improvements in reservoir levels and rainfall patterns.
Nairobi Water has urged residents to conserve the available water, avoid unnecessary consumption and prioritise essential household and other critical needs during the period of reduced supply.
The latest announcement comes a day after the company issued a separate notice announcing a scheduled 24-hour water shutdown affecting several Nairobi neighbourhoods.
The planned interruption is scheduled to run from 8am on Monday, November 9, to 8am on Tuesday, November 10, to allow the installation of new pipe connections near Kianda School, off Waiyaki Way.
The infrastructure works are intended to improve the reliability of water distribution in the affected areas.
Neighbourhoods expected to be affected include Westlands, Riverside, Parklands, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Lavington, Upper Hill, Lower Hill, Madaraka, Langata, Kibera, Jamhuri, Woodley and sections of Ngong Road.
Several hospitals and other institutions will also experience the scheduled interruption.
However, Nairobi Water clarified that the planned 24-hour shutdown is a temporary disruption targeting specific areas to facilitate infrastructure improvements, while the production reduction is expected to cause wider and potentially prolonged rationing across Nairobi and neighbouring counties.
The company has apologised to customers for the inconvenience and appealed to residents to manage their available water supplies carefully as it navigates the reduced reservoir inflows.
