A majority of areas in Nairobi are set to experience a water shortage following the closure of the city's largest water treatment plant.
The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Ltd (NCWSC) on Friday, May 1 issued a statement announcing the closure of Ng'ethu Treatment Works.
"Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Company Ltd (NCWSC) has today shut down production at Ng’ethu Treatment Works which serves 85 per cent of Nairobi City County population," the statement read in part.
The move was triggered by the heavy rainfall experienced in the Aberdare ranges, which is the main catchment area.
"There has been increased river flow causing very high turbidity in the raw water which is flowing slurry and suspected to be caused by a landslide upstream,
"This has necessitated the closing of the Ng’ethu Water Treatment Plant to avoid transmission of water which does not meet the World Health Organization standards which we ascribe to," the statement reads.
NCWSC, however, stated that the situation was expected to be normalised by 6 p.m. May 1, 2020.
The water agency revealed that water flowing into the city was only from Sasumua, Kikuyu Springs and Ruiru Dam, which account for 15 per cent of city dwellers. This gave an indication that water supply into Nairobi county would be interrupted.
Ng'ethu waterworks reportedly is designed for efficient water treatment with less turbidity, that bis at less than 800Ntu.
"However, the raw water flowing into the treatment plant has failed to respond to the chemicals used treat the same and solutions are underway to ensure the treatment process is operational and normalized," NCWSC announced.
The following areas are expected to be affected by the shut down; The of whole city centre, University of Nairobi Main Campus, Coco-Cola Factory, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), EPZ-Athi river, and areas along Mombasa Road; South B, South C and the neighbourhoods.
Other areas are; the whole of Industrial area, areas along Juja Road; Mlango Kubwa, the whole of Mathare, Eastleigh, Airforce Base, Huruma, Kariobangi, Pangani, areas along Jogoo Road; Maringo, Buruburu and the surrounding estates, and Bahati.
Areas along Outer-ring Road; Baba Dogo, Dandora, Dandora KCC factory, Umoja, Donholm, Fedha, Tassia, Avenue Park, Nyayo, Embakasi will also be affected.
Areas along Kangundo Road: Ruai, Njiru, Kayole, Komarock, areas along Thika Road: Kenya Breweries, Kenyatta University, Kahawa Barrack, Kasarani, Mwiki, Kahawa Sukari, Garden Estate and Thome Estate, areas along Limuru Road; Parklands, Ngara Area, Aga Khan Hospital, University of Nairobi -School of Law and City Park Area, Gigiri, United Nation - Gigiri, and Muthaiga.
"Whilst every effort will be made to restore the supply of water, we request all customers to use their storage water sparingly," the statement concludes.
