Athi Water seeks bulk water license for Northern Collector tunnel

Athi Water Works Development Agency has applied to be a bulk water operator for the Northern Collector Tunnel Bulk Water Supply System, supplying to five Water Service Providers (WSPs) serving Gatanga, Kiambu, Runda, Two Rivers, Nairobi and Kiambu.

The project will supply an additional 140 million litres per day of water to more than 1.2 million residents of Nairobi and its environs.

This even as the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) held a public participation meeting at the Utalii College Hotel in Nairobi in accordance with the Water Act of 2016, following Athi Water Works Development Agency’s (AWWDA) application to operate the Northern Collector Tunnel (NCT) Bulk Water Supply System, which the agency has implemented.

The purpose of the meeting was to hear stakeholders’ concerns about the agency’s licensing application and suggested tariff pricing.

The Northern Collector Tunnel is part of the government’s plan to enhance water supply in Nairobi City, Kiambu, Muranga, Kajiado and Machakos Counties.

The Northern Collector Tunnel (NCT) entails the construction of an 11.8km raw water transfer tunnel along the Eastern fringes of the Aberdare Conservation Area (ACA), approximately 60 kilometers north of Nairobi, to divert flows from the Maragua, Gikigie, and Irati rivers into the existing Thika dam (Ndakaini), treatment of water at the Kigoro water treatment plant, and subsequent transmission through a DN 1400/1200mm diameter pipeline to Gigiri reservoirs.  

The project will provide an additional 140 million litres of water per day to more than 1.2 million Nairobi people and their communities, eliminating the water deficit.

Nairobi’s current water demand is 810 million liters per day, compared to a supply of 550 million litres per day, resulting in a 260 million litre shortfall.

 Making a compelling argument, led by the Board Chairman, Charles Karondo and Ag. CEO, Eng. Joseph Kamau, the Agency tabled a proposal, stressing that if issued the bulk water licence, Athi Water Works Development Agency will be able to repay the loans taken by the Government to develop the infrastructure whilst ensuring efficient service delivery and customer protection.

Muranga, Kiambu and Muranga counties were represented by political and county leaders and members of public.

Other institutions present were the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Water Service providers, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), civil society, National Treasury, NEMA among others. 

The Northern Collector Tunnel Phase 1 was supported by the Government of Kenya, World Bank and  French Development Agency (AFD) and implemented by the Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA).

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