Brief on NCWSC…

1. Brief on NCWSC… • The Water Act 2002 was enacted in October 2002 and its purpose was to separate water resources management and water and sewerage services provision. • NCWSC is a WSP providing water in Nairobi City and its environs under a license issued by Athi water Service Board (AWSB). • NCWSC is 100% owned subsidiary of CCN. • Before then the water and sewerage services were being provided by the municipalities.

2. Nairobi Water It was incorporated as a private Company on 2 December 2003 under the Companies Act, CAP 486 of the laws of Kenya. Limited by shares to give it autonomy and enable it operate commercially and was officially launched on 19 August 2004. The Company’s headquarters office is situated along Kampala Road in Nairobi’s Industrial Area and has six regional centers:

3. Background Company’s area of operation has population is estimated at 3.6 million (KNBS 2009 Census). 60% of the population lives in the informal settlements occupying 5% of the area which is mostly government land along the rivers/railway/power/oil/water/sewer pipeline reserves. Nairobi has four sources of water with a design capacity of 525,000m3/day. However, current production is about 500,000m3 /day against current demand of 690,000m3/day. 99.9% of the water to the city is surface water with the other insignificant being ground water. Most of this water comes from Aberdare catchment

4. Economic Framework • NCWSC contributes towards the achievement of the Government’s Vision 2030 & Medium Term Plan’s - ‘working towards ensuring that water and sanitation services are available to all.’ • NCWSC generates about 50% of all the WSPs’ revenue in Kenya. • Water is a critical ingredient in all sectors of the economy

5. Social Framework • Water is basic human right (Clause 43 b & d of the Constitution). • Affordability and sustainable access to safe water and basic sanitation facilities among the poor aimed at raising their well-being has been a priority of NCWSC-pro poor tariff structure. • Towards achieving the MDG 7 Target No 11 of achieving a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100m slum dwellers, NCWSC has a fully-fledged Informal Settlements Department which spearheads the development and expansion of water & sanitation services among the urban poor. • Crime level high in the informal settlements – partnerships with CBOs and NGOs has helped foster relations.

6. Environmental Framework • Ecosystem protection provides a sure way for sustainable supply of fresh water for human and economic utilization. • Recognizing this, NCWSC plays a role in the protection and enhancement of the water catchments within its main raw water abstraction area (the Aberdare forest – One of the five water towers in Kenya). • Partnerships with the Government agencies, CBOs, NGOs and communities living near the catchments has witnessed the continued planting of tree seedlings aimed at replacing the aging species and expanding the forest cover annually. • To conserve water, there exists a paradigm of encouraging water recycling and reuse to augment water supplies particularly in high water consumption industries. • Policy advocacy for rainwater harvesting – lobbying for construction plans to include this.

7. IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION Water is life Kenya is classified as a water scarce country with an annual renewable freshwater per capita of 647 cubic meters against the United Nation’s recommended minimum of 1,000 cubic meters. Nairobi City accounts for about 60 % of GDP with inhabitants from all corners of Kenya and the World Nairobi cannot survive without water

8. Importance of Conservation • Soil Conservation • Reduces soil erosion which affects storage capacity of water in dams • Reduced leaching of nutrients such as nitrates from fertilizers that lead to eutrophication • Reduced water treatment costs that saves money for reinvestment • Improved productivity of land due to retention of nutrients

9. Water Conservation • Ways of Conservation 1.Afforestation. • Trees play an important role in the water cycle • Trees assist in percolation of water through the soil thus ensuring sustainable flows • Surface runoff is reduced and hence less soil erosion 2. Proper Water Harvesting • Eg. Rain harvesting/Dams 3. Reduced use of agricultural chemicals (Organic Farming) 4.Water Recycling

10. EFFORTS BY NCWSC • Facilitation and membership in WRUAs e.g. LOCHWARUA and Upper Thika RUA including providing office space and funding • Partnering with Local Community in tree planting (Tree growing) • E.g. Over 70,000 seedlings planted in the immediate Dam Catchments purchased from local communities • Partnering with KFS • Over 50,000 seedlings planted in the forest

11. Efforts by NCWSC contd • Active Stakeholder in formation of Forest Management plans e.g. Kimakia Forest Management plan • Raising Awareness on environmental Conservation through partnerships • E.g. The Ndakaini half Marathon • Providing schools and other institutions with water harvesting tanks • Lobbying for policy on water harvesting in Nairobi

12. Efforts continued A member of Ndakaini Poverty Reduction programme’s Project Implementation Committee that involved establishing tree nurseries, soil conservation and diversifying farming activities Allowing immediate dam neighbors to benefit from the riparian e.g.. plucking already existing tea for free.

13. Benefits Low sedimentation in Dams Security of Dams and other infrastructure through partnership Reduced encroachment of riparian land Sustained inflows due to reduced runoff/enhanced percolation Greater awareness and participation of all stakeholders Retention of soil fertility through reduced leaching of minerals

14. Reduced water rationing in the city PARNERSHIP IS KEY

15. THANK YOU ASANTENI SANA