1. What is the difference between Coast Water Services Board and Mombasa Water and Sewerage Company?
Coast Water Services Board is a regional company gazetted on 27th, February, 2004 as a licensee, to be responsible for the efficient and economical provision of water services in the Coast Region. The Board is however not mandated to provide these services directly but through public companies, private companies, individuals or companies formed by the local Government Authorities, all with a vast representation of stakeholders. These companies have been formed in six districts within the Coast Province, to provide water at district level. Coast Water Services Board regulates and monitors these companies. The companies are Mombasa Water and Sewerage Co., Kwale Water and Sewerage Co., Malindi Water and Sewerage Co., Kilifi-Mariakani Water and Sewerage Co., Lamu Water and Sewerage Co. and Tavevo Water and Sewerage Co
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2. Why are there frequent water supply interruptions?
As part of the reform processes Coast Water Services Board took over the assets of National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation. Amongst the assets taken over was the old and dilapidated infrastructure, including old pipelines dating back to 1953. Due to their old age, the pipes are prone to frequent leaks and bursts requiring routine repair works. The repairs can only be done after the water supply is interrupted to allow for repair works. This interrupts the water supply.
More water cannot be forced through the pipes as the resulting pressure will be fatal to the dilapidated pipes.
Also, as is globally known, the percentage of water available for human consumption, on earth, is a meager 3%. The effects of global warming, and in Kenya the destruction of forests, have enhanced water scarcity and as such water has to rationed in a bid to have a relatively fair distribution.
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3. Where should we seek help in case of water problems?
The Board has contracted 6 water companies in six districts (as already mentioned elsewhere in our website) to provide water services. Depending on your district please feel free to approach these companies who will readily solve your water problems. In case you are dissatisfied you are free to approach the Coast Water Services Boards’ District Area Coordinators (DACs) whose contacts have been given elsewhere on our website. We shall be able to assist you through the DACs
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4. How have the rural areas benefited from the water reforms?
The formation of the Water Services Trust Fund (WSTF) is key to addressing water issues to disadvantaged communities. The mission of the fund is to substantially contribute towards facilitating targeted communities in areas of Kenya that are undeserved to successfully apply for financing, implement and sustainably manage quality water and sanitation services.
The reforms have seen formation of licensed Water Service Providers at district level. Water issues are now addressed at decentralized locations in the district and as such services have been brought closer to the people.
The National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation now has the core task of construction of dams and drilling boreholes. The rural areas are targeted and this makes water accessible to the rural communities.
The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Section was formed by the Board to particularly assist the rural communities to develop water and sanitation projects at community level. These projects are funded by the Water Services Trust Fund (WSTF).
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5. Why is there lack of sewerage facilities in the Coastal urban centers? And how is this problem being addressed?
A section of Mombasa City Council, a section of Voi and Wundanyi are the only areas within the Coast Region with sewerage system facilities making a third of the total region served with sewer facilities. This is based on historic facts that sewerage facilities were never planned for on the onset of the towns’ planning.
Plans are underway to improve the Mombasa sewerage at a cost of 2mill and also develop a sewerage system for Malindi at a cost of 150mill.
6. How come we get bills and yet we do not get water regularly?
The billing system has a standard charge for the meter irrespective of whether or not there is water supply
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7. Why is it that some areas always appear to be having water and yet other areas never have a drop?
Pipe sizes vary. If several consumers connect their water supply with a small pipe then the size of the pipe cannot allow for each one of them to get sufficient water. For example if Consumer A connects a three quarter inch pipe from a water intake point and then several of his neighbors connect to this pipe, then the possibility is that none of them will get sufficient water. The pipe size would be too small to cater for the supply
The water pressure also plays a role in determining water supply. Low water pressure due to the gradient of the landscape will result to either low or high pressure.
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8. What is the Board doing about illegal water kiosks which sell water at such a high price?
Our Water Companies e.g. Mombasa Water Company have the mandate to issue licenses to water vendors under strict controls. Unfortunately illegal water kiosks, in this case unlicensed water vendors, have become a nuisance. The Water Companies have been instructed by the Board to seek out and disconnect all illegal kiosks and arrest the vendors.
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