The Kenya Pipeline Company Limited (KPC) on Tuesday, May 23, detailed plans to overhaul the 45-year-old Nairobi to Mombasa pipeline to supply water to Mombasa County.
According to a 457-page environmental assessment report seen by Kenyans.co.ke, it was noted that the project would involve the removal of part of the pipeline with a section revamped to supply water.
It was detailed that the project would cover 8 counties including Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa counties.
KPC explained that the move to reuse the old pipeline was informed by the increasing demand for water at the Coast.
"The areas along the e Right of the Way (ROW) are characterized by increasing population growth and consequently increased demand for drinking water. Mzima springs are the main source of water for these but it has only one 80mm reinforced concrete that was constructed in the 1950s," read the report in part.
However, in the report, KPC acknowledged health concerns over the project with the agency indicating that it would ensure that the pipes are cleaned to ensure that the health of Kenyans is not put at risk.
In particular, it was noted that the agency had already tested various cleaning processes to ascertain the viability of the project.
"Pigging using water was undertaken from Mombasa to Nairobi to clean the pipeline. The inline water was tested for petroleum compounds after every pigging up to 10 times until the water meets the regulatory requirement for drinking water.
"KPC is still engaging experts to have the appropriate internal and external coating of the pipeline that is to ensure water quality and pipeline integrity to meet Kenya's standards on drinking water quality," read the report in part.
During the project, the reuse of the pipeline is expected to take place between Mzima Spring to Mombasa which is estimated to be 215 kilometres.
Other sections of the pipeline are expected to be completely uprooted and sold as scrap metal.
The estimated disposal value of Line 1 scrap material was estimated at Ksh2,216,528,448.
KPC will take 12 months for the projects once the green-light is issued from all relevant authorities.
