The Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) has restored full water supply to consumers served by the Kesses Water Treatment Plant following a multi-agency investigation into last week’s chemical spillage along the River Kipkarren-Bindura-Kesses.
In an update on Tuesday, November 25, the company assured residents that the water has been declared safe for consumption after rigorous testing at multiple points along the system.
"Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) wishes to inform our customers and the general public that water supply from the Kesses Water Treatment Plant has officially been restored following the completion of a multi-agency assessment of the recent chemical spillage incident along the River Kipkarren-Bindura-Kesses," the statement read.
ELDOWAS explained that several government agencies and emergency units had jointly undertaken a full inspection of the affected river system and surrounding ecosystems.
"A coordinated team comprising ELDOWAS, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Uasin Gishu County Department of Water, Environment, Energy, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, public health officials, and emergency response units has concluded a full evaluation of the river system, Kesses Dam inflow, and associated ecosystems," the statement added.
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According to ELDOWAS, the technical teams established that the chemical detected in the river does not threaten public health at its current concentration.
The company further confirmed that extensive water quality tests showed no contamination at any stage of the treatment or distribution process.
"The multi-agency assessment has confirmed that the spilled substance does not pose a risk to public health at the current concentration levels within the Kesses Dam intake. Water quality tests conducted at multiple points, river entry, dam storage, and treatment outflow, have all met the safety standards required for potable water production, and no contamination has been detected in the distribution network.
"Based on these findings, ELDOWAS has restarted treatment operations at the Kesses Water Treatment Plant, and normal water supply has now been fully restored," the statement further read.
ELDOWAS further sought to reassure residents that the safety of drinking water remains its top priority and that its treatment processes are capable of effectively removing impurities.
"We reassure the public that water supplied through the ELDOWAS system is safe, as our treatment process is designed to effectively remove impurities, including any potential traces that may enter the raw water source. In addition, our teams will continue enhanced water quality monitoring over the coming days as an added precaution to ensure sustained safety and compliance with all water safety standards," the statement concluded.
ELDOWAS had issued an alert to residents following a chemical spill that occurred on Thursday, November 20, in Matharu, Tarakwa Ward, Timboroa, prompting the shutdown of the Kesses Water Treatment Plant.
In a statement on Friday, November 20, the company said the move is a precaution meant to protect consumers as investigations into the nature of the spilled substance continue.
ELDOWAS explained that the spill was the result of a truck accident, with residents witnessing the materials entering a major river system.
"The Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) wishes to update the public regarding a reported incident of chemical spillage that occurred in the Matharu area, Tarakwa Ward, Timboroa Location.
"According to witnesses, a lorry transporting a white industrial substance and reportedly en route to the Democratic Republic of Congo overturned, causing the material to spill into the River Kipkarren-Bindura-Kesses system," the statement read.
According to ELDOWAS, the river is directly connected to the Kesses Dam catchment, heightening the seriousness of the situation.
As a result, the company has temporarily halted operations at the plant to ensure no contaminated water is processed or distributed.
"This river forms a critical part of the upstream catchment that flows directly into Kesses Dam, which supplies water to the Kesses Water Treatment Plant.
"As a precautionary measure, the Kesses Plant has been temporarily shut down to prevent any risk of contaminated raw water entering the treatment system before the full composition of the spilled substance is confirmed," the statement added.
