Kisumu residents will soon breathe a sigh of relief following the completion of Dunga and Kajulu water treatment plants.
The managing director of the Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (Kiwasco), David Onyango said the water shortage problem that has haunted the lakeside city for years could be a thing of the past with the completion of emergency works.
"The Dunga plant will distribute 46 million litres of water a day. Water supply has increased from 21,000 to 46,000 cubic metres for the population of about 600,000," said Onyango.
He spoke during the celebration of the company’s ISO 900:2008 re-certification award on Wednesday at Kisumu Imperial hotel.
The Dunga facility was built in 1922 and is the main facility in the town whose original supply system was designed for a smaller population. Before the present upgrade, it was repaired first in 1938 and later 1968.
Onyango said the company is focused on ensuring the supply of every home with reliable and adequate clean water as the population in the city increases.
“As we implement and maintain ISO 9001:2008 quality management system, we commit to a process of continuous improvement of service delivery to customers,” he said.
He said the company is also in the process of implementing an integrated mobile utility management system to automate critical processes such handling customer complaints and managing meters.
Over the years the company has faced a number of challenges including illegal water connection, burst and leaking pipes. Others challenges have included overflowing sewers, irregular billing, poor communication and customer relations.
Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma lauded Kiwasco for playing what he called a leading role service delivery. He urged the company to continue working with industry stakeholders in tackling water issues in the county.
“My government together with industry stakeholders are investing in utilities to ensure effective service to county residents,” Ranguma said.
He said the county government has mandated Kiwasco to manage supply of water in the entire county including small utilities such as the Gulf and Nyakach to ensure residents get excellent services.
The managing director of Kenya Bureau of Standards Charles Ongwae commended Kiwasco and urged other organisation to provide quality services and to show evidence by attaining the ISO Certification.