The Kiambu Water and Sewerage Company loses more than Sh80 million per year through water theft, the management has said.
Managing director Boniface Mbugua said this translates to 34 per cent loss of the water they produce.
He was speaking in Kiambu town on Thursday during the renewal of the company license which they were rewarded to operate for another five years by Water Services Regulatory Board.
Mbugua said some customers use water without accounting for it through the water meters.
“Some rogue customers have put up illegal connections, while others have devised ways of bypassing the company water meters,” he said.
The Ministry of Water in conjunction with WASREB and Athi Water Works are conducting nationwide operations campaign called ‘Linda Maji, Lipa Maji’.
The initiative is aimed at raising public awareness about theft and vandalism of water and sanitation infrastructure.
In Kiambu subcounty, at least 45 per cent of water produced by water companies is lost through theft, leakages and wastage.
WASREB manager James Nyutu, who led the campaign, said that non-revenue water costs the country Sh11.2 billion annually.
“The public awareness operation started two months ago in Nairobi county and it is being carried out in all the 47 counties in conjunction with all stakeholders including the national, the county governments and the public,” Nyutu said.
Nyutu said every citizen has the responsibility to stop water theft by reporting incidences in their areas.
“This will help reduce the amount of money the government loses due to illegal connections and in renovations of vandalised water infrastructure,” he added.
Mbugua said they are working with the community to identify those who have connected the water illegally and take the necessary action.
He said they have improved their distribution of water to consumers and they are now providing water 18 hours a day.
Resident Njeri Wambui said that Kiambu water firm has improved its services.
Kiambu county director for water Joseph Njuguna urged residents to desist from cultivating along river banks and releasing harmful toxins into the water sources.
“Residents are also largely contributing to lowering of water levels in our rivers and dams by planting trees like eucalyptus, which have been proven to absorb lots of water,” Njuguna said.