Water shortage is set to be experienced in Kenyan capital Nairobi in the coming few months due to unreliable rain patterns in the country,Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) has announced.
According to the managing Director of Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) Mr. Philip Gichuki, the water body is incapable of supplying the normal daily demand of 760,000m3. At present, it is falling short of 215,000m3 being 48% full.
The reduction of water comes at 13% of the water normally supplied in a bid to sustain the supply up to April. He urges residents to practice efficient use of water during this period and cut down on activities that require heavy usage of water.
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The low levels of water in the dams can be traced back to 2014 as the country has been receiving below average levels of rain since then. This has contributed to the low levels and slow recharge of the dams with sufficient water.
The unreliable rain patterns experienced in 2016 are largely the cause of this water shortage. The levels have fallen to below half and if not rationed, the dam risks drying out completely. The average expected rainfall which is 1000mm was contrary to what was received as only a quarter of this was received.
This is insufficient supply required to sustain the volumes of the Ndakaini and other dams that are responsible for supplying water in Nairobi. Apart from the Ndakaini dam, there are other dams that also supply water that all rely on the Aberdare catchment area such as Sasamua dam in Nyandarua and the Ruiru dam in Kiambu.
The situation is however expected to improve sometime in April if the country will have experienced enough rains.
