Persistent water shortage experienced by residents of West Karachuonyo in Homa Bay County is set to be addressed following rehabilitation and augmentation of a Water project serving the area.
The project is being undertaken as a joint venture by the Italian government and Lake Victoria South Water Services Board.
The Project Coordinator, Eng. Joseph Omollo said the project will increase water production from 1200m3 to 4000m3 per day.
Omollo was briefing the County Development Implementation Committee (CDIC) led by County Commissioner (CC), Macharia Irungu accompanied by the area Presidential Delivery Unit Director, Gerishon Wangira when the committee toured the project on Friday.
“This project was instituted in 1978 with a water capacity of only 1, 200m3 per day but has degenerated over the years. This will now be improved to 4000m3,” he said.
Omollo revealed that a committee running the project had made a funding proposal to the Kenya-Italy Debt for Development Programme (KIDDP) which disbursed Sh.87 million for the project.
He explained that the first phase of the project involved the construction of the raw water intake and pipeline from Lake Victoria and a construction of 4000m3 per day treatment works.
The Engineer added that second phase entailed upgrading and installation of new pumps and ancillary works as well as rehabilitation and expansion of a10km distribution line.
“The Phase I of the project was completed in April 2017 but the main challenge has been frequent power outages. We appeal to Kenya Power to upgrade the local supply,” he said.
Irungu urged the contractors to give value for money and adhere to the time lines.
Wangira on his part commended the locals for supporting the project noting that more than 5, 000 people including learning institutions and health facilities will benefit.
Handing over the completed works to Homa Bay Water and Sanitation Company is expected to be done by end of May 2019.
By Davis Langat/Natasha Kanisa
