The Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) has issued a directive requiring all small-scale water service providers to register with the board by April 28.
This move is part of the government’s efforts to ensure compliance with the Water Act 2016, which mandates that all water service providers must be licensed.
The notice, issued on Tuesday, March 18, targets operators who have not previously registered with the board. This includes community water projects, gated community water providers, private or individual water operators, and public benefit or non-governmental organisation (NGO) water projects.
Registration is free of charge and must be completed online; hard copies of the forms will not be accepted.
WASREB has been working to ensure that all water providers adhere to the guidelines set out in the Water Act 2016, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The registration process is accessible through the Small-Scale Service Providers (SSSPs) Data Collection link on the WASREB website. Operators are encouraged to complete the registration promptly to avoid penalties.
Providing water services without a licence is considered an offence under the Water Act 2016.
Under the current regulations, the government mandates that all entities involved in water provision, including small-scale providers such as water kiosks, tankers, and private boreholes, must register with WASREB or their respective county water service providers.
“Section 85(1) of the Water Act 2016 provides that a person shall not provide water services unless under the authority of a licence issued by the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB). Pursuant to this section, notice is hereby given to all water service system operators who supply water services in all 47 counties in Kenya to register their operations with WASREB,” reads the notice.
WASREB maintains a register of all licensed water service providers, detailing their names, addresses, and the nature of services they offer.
WASREB's Acting Chief Executive Officer highlighted that registration is crucial for maintaining water service standards in terms of quality, cost, and customer service. It also aims to guarantee consumers' health and safety while updating the board's databank on water service access.
The board has urged all water system operators to comply with the directive and begin the registration process immediately.
Failure to register in time could result in legal action, as operating without a licence is a violation of the law.
