This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
As the capital city's population continues to grow, supplying water to its residents has become one of Nairobi City County's biggest challenges. With a population of over four million, the city's water demand far exceeds its supply, leaving residents to rely on rationed water for just one day a week.
However, even during heavy rains, when dams that supply water to the city are overflowing, the rationing continues. This is a stark reminder of the city's inability to ensure a reliable supply of clean water, leaving residents vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as cholera.
According to statistics, Nairobi's installed water treatment system capacity is only 525,600 cubic meters per day, against a demand of 810,000 cubic meters. This significant shortfall has led to a reliance on boreholes and elevated steel water tanks to boost supply, especially in the city's slums where water shortages are most acute.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still a major concern, maintaining a high standard of hygiene through regular handwashing is crucial in curbing the spread of the disease. Increasing water sources will undoubtedly boost this effort, and the city's new boreholes are a cost-effective means to improve water supply.
