Nairobi Water Announces Emergency Shutdown After Pipeline Vandalism

Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Company (Nairobi Water) has announced an emergency water supply interruption affecting several areas following the vandalism of a major water pipeline.

In a notice on Wednesday, November 11, the company said the incident occurred along a major pipeline supplying water from the Kabete Water Treatment Plant.

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"The interruption has been occasioned by vandalism to one of the major pipelines from the Kabete Water Treatment Plant at Kianda School off Waiyaki Way," the notice read.

Nairobi Water said the Kabete Distribution Mains would be shut down from 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, to allow the necessary works to be undertaken.

The shutdown was expected to affect several neighbourhoods and institutions across the city, including the entire Westlands, Riverside, Lavington, Waruku, Parklands, Kangemi, Mountain View and Thiongo Road, as well as their environs.

Other affected areas included Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Upper Hill, Lower Hill, Madaraka, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Forces Memorial Hospital, KEMRI flats, Mbagathi Hospital, DOD and Uhuru Park.

The interruption would also affect Dog Unit–Langata, Langata Women's Prison, NHC, Jonathan Ngeno, Breeze, Chelsea Marina and Southlands, together with their surrounding areas.

Residents in Amboseli, Hatheru, Chalbi, Kenya High, Woodley, Ngong Road, Jamhuri, Joseph Kangethe Road, Makina, Karanja Road and Kibera were also listed among those expected to experience the water interruption.

Additionally, Nairobi West, South C and Karen-Mbagathi Ridge were included in the affected areas.

The company advised residents and businesses in the affected neighbourhoods to conserve their available water supplies as repair works continued.

"Customers in the affected areas are advised to use the available water sparingly during this period.

"Nairobi Water regrets any inconvenience caused and appreciates customers' patience and understanding as we undertake these essential works to improve water supply services," the notice added.

Meanwhile, Nairobi residents are set to experience longer water rationing periods following the reduction of water levels at Ndakaini Dam. 

In a notice on Monday, November 9, the company said Ndakaini Dam, which serves as the principal source of water for Nairobi, has experienced a significant decline in storage levels following below-average rainfall across its catchment area.

Nairobi Water noted that the reduction in water levels has necessitated a temporary reduction in water abstraction to preserve the available reserves and ensure continued supply over the coming months.

"Thika / Ndakaini Dam, the principal source of water for Nairobi and its surrounding areas, has experienced a significant decline in storage levels following below-average rainfall within its catchment area. 

"The reduced inflows have necessitated a temporary reduction in water abstraction to preserve available reserves and ensure continued supply over the coming months," the notice read.

Nairobi Water announced that production at Ngethu and Kigoro Water Treatment Plants has been reduced by 35 percent with immediate effect.

According to the company, the supply reduction will affect customers served by Nairobi Water, Kiambu Water and Sanitation Company, Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company, and Olkejuado Water and Sewerage Company.

Other affected utilities include Githunguri Water and Sanitation Company, Karuri Water and Sanitation Company, and Oloolaiser Water and Sewerage Company.

Nairobi Water asked consumers to use available water prudently as it continues to monitor dam levels and prevailing weather conditions.

"Customers are encouraged to use available water prudently. Nairobi Water is continuously monitoring water levels and weather conditions and will review production volumes periodically," the notice added.