Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KACWASCO) is constructing a 5-million-liter capacity water tank to increase water supply to residents.
The County government through the company will spend Sh. 87 million to construct the tank with the project expected to be completed by the end of April this year.
The Company which is licensed by the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) to supply water to 4 million residents within Kakamega will reach 90 per cent of the area of coverage once the new tank is complete.
KACWASCO has been relying on a 2.5million liters water tank located at Milimani estate in Kakamega town to supply water to the population; only managing 70 per cent of its target. Kakamega sources its water from Tindinyo which is pumped directly to the only tank
Addressing the press in Kakamega, KACWASCO Acting CEO Christabell Ashiono said the tank is one of the flagship projects undertaken by the county government to improve access to clean and reliable water.
The new water tank is located at Lirhanda which is considered the highest point with an elevation of 1,608 meters which would enable pumping of water via gravity.
“You know the water that comes from Tindinyo is also supplied to Shinyalu and Shitoyi which are part of the area of coverage as per the license from WASREB,” she noted.
Ashiono said though the company has not managed 100 per cent water distribution, establishment of Rural Water companies provides relief to rural residents as the firm concentrates on enhancing efficiency to urban residents.
“If you look at our service area of provision, the water we provide is centered in towns. So, we really want the rural people to get water and that is why the county has established the rural water company that will see to it the provision of water to the rural county residents,” she noted.
KACWASCO supplies water to Kakamega, Shinyalu , Shitoli , Malava and Mumias. It also supplies to Tindinyo , Butere, Navakholo , Muranda and Lumakanda Schemes.
Ashiono noted the company has established a debt management committee which will also address complaints from customers as a measure to ensure continuous water supply.
“Customers are free to raise their complaints so that we can act and resolve them promptly, if there is an issue with water bills we can adjust. As a company we endeavor to resolve any complaints from customers to ensure we continue serving them better,” she noted.
The chairperson Board of Directors for KACWASCO Prof. Laban Ayiro said the water tank will enable the company to solve the water crisis within Kakamega town as more efforts are done to enhance harvesting of water from Tindinyo.
KACWASCO Technical Manager Celcus Shilehwa said the company undertakes routine maintenance of its lines such as the air valves and washouts to cut down on water rationing.
By Moses Wekesa
