Kenyans will be forced to dig deeper into their pockets following a proposal by Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) to raise water costs. Small households and residential homes are most affected compared to bulk water suppliers and water kiosks in the newly proposed costs. This comes amid the struggle to put food on the table for most households in and out of Nairobi County.
In a notice open to the general public, the Water Services Regulatory Board (Wasreb) said the water company is looking to increase costs for various reasons. One of the reasons for the upward tariff review is to enable the utility water to operate at full cost recovery and meet conditions necessary for improving service delivery. The company has also stated that the money earned from the higher tariffs will be used to pay loans to the tune of 156.6 Million from its lenders; the World Bank and African Development Bank.
New Tarriffs & Conditions
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Co. (NCWSC) which provides water services by authority of a license issued by WASREB will increase charges for households that consume less than six cubic meters by Ksh11 from the current Sh34/m3 to Sh45/m3. Those who use 300m3 of water monthly will part with Sh80/m3 from the current Sh64/m3. For gated communities currently paying Sh53/m3 under a subsidized tariff, the raise will see them pay Sh67.
Bulk water suppliers and water kiosks will experience the lowest water price increases of Sh2/m3 from their current tariffs. This is to ensure that the suppliers do not raise the cost of each jerrican sold to individuals in poorly piped and water-starved areas of Nairobi.
However, the regulatory body has attached conditions to the new tariffs proposed; Nairobi Water will be expected to cover 85 percent of the city within three years from the current 82 percent, The company has also been asked to lower the water ratio supplied without deriving revenue from it to 46 percent from 41 percent. Also, the company will be expected to improve the quality of the water supplied from the current 91 percent to 100 percent.
As it is protocol, the regulatory body has therefore asked the public to scrutinize and submit comments and questions within 21 days since the publishing of the notice. After submission of public views as well as those of stakeholders, the water regulator will then hold both virtual and physical meetings on the 29th of July 2022
