This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
Water bowsers and exhausters operating in Nairobi will now undergo regular inspections to ensure they meet new regulations introduced by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC).
According to NCWSC Managing Director Nahashon Muguna, the inspections will commence on June 17, 2020, and will be continuous until July 2, 2020. Operators who fail to comply with the new regulations will be arrested and prosecuted.
The new regulations require water bowsers to be painted sky blue, have a water sampling point, and display the owner's name and telephone number in 75mm letters on each side of the tanker. The tankers must also be labelled with the name 'water tank' on the sides of the tank.
Exhausters, on the other hand, must present clearance certificates from the National Environment Management Authority and pay annual discharge fees before a sub-licence can be issued. They must also display the original letters of approval to discharge into approved points, payment receipt for discharge licence, and the business permit issued by Nairobi Metropolitan Services.
The regulations also require exhausters to be fitted with a sealed tank and accessories that are leak-proof to liquid and gases. They must also be fitted with sludge pumps and have their capacity indicated on the sides and rear with letters at least 75mm in size.
NCWSC reserves the right to cancel the permit to discharge into its sewerage system or impose requisite fees in the event that operators fail to comply with the laid-down conditions.
The new regulations come after the Water Services Regulatory Board announced that all water vendors using bowsers within the metropolitan area will have to apply for registration. The board's guidelines require vendors to undergo vetting and licensing to weed out cartels that have infiltrated the water sector.
According to Athi River Water Works Development Agency CEO Michael Thuita, the new guidelines will allow them to track where the water is coming from and even the consumers. The regulations also apply to exhausters, gated community water providers, private boreholes owners engaging in community water supply, and NGO-run water projects.
Thuita also mentioned that there have been allegations that some exhauster operators empty human waste in rivers, contributing to pollution. 'No one will walk into the business just like that. We will track the exhausters from where it is exhausting to where it is emptying,' he said.
Published on June 18, 2020.
