Kenya is seeking a private sector solution to its burgeoning water supply shortages in a deal that could see a steep rise in costs and deny access to millions of low-income urban residents. The deal proposes to open the harvesting and purification of underground water for pumping to homes and offices through existing supply networks owned by local authorities.

Five independent water producers, mostly from Europe, will sink large boreholes in the capital Nairobi and the surrounding districts before a national roll-out. Water supplies have been declining because of changes in weather patterns, according to Water Ministry officials in Nairobi.

Kenya currently relies on state-owned service providers and not-for-profit organisations to meet its water supply needs but rampant corruption, old supply networks and illegal connections have rendered the systems ineffective.

Water sector players fear that the new plan could increase the cost of water significantly as the private investors look to reap returns and cover operational expenses that are expected to rise as the country turns to the more expensive underground water harvesting.

Related news: Kenya: Nairobi water board sent packing following reports on malpractices, Source Weekly, 07 Aug 2009

Contact:

• Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Kenya, ps@water.go.ke
• Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, Kenya, info@nairobiwater.co.ke

Source: Michael Omondi, Business Daily / allAfrica.com, 07 Oct 2009

Tags: africa, governance, water collection, water supply