Water Company Steps in to Prevent Possible Havoc from El Nino Rains

Thika,

Thursday, October 12, 2023

KNA by Muoki Charles

As the country prepares for the onset of the expected El Nino rains, Thika water provider has announced that it has put in place plans to prevent possible havoc from the heavy rains that sometimes affect water supply and sewer lines.

Thika Water and Sewerage Company (Thiwasco) management says that they have unblocked all drainages, raised and replaced sewer manhole covers to prevent them from being submerged by storm waters during the floods.

Thiwasco Managing Director Engineer Moses Kinya says water intake areas have also been protected from silting that comes with heavy rains via embankments.

"Jointly with the county government we have been unblocking drainages using our flushing system that clears all the accumulated silt in the drainage system, replacing sewer manhole covers and additionally protecting water intake areas," said Kinya.

This comes much to the relief of residents as Thika is known for flooding during heavy rains, with residents sometimes being forced to flee their homes as rainwater submerges their houses.

Kinya was speaking to journalists during a tree planting exercise sponsored by the company at the Kang'oki Dumpsite yesterday where over 5,000 tree seedlings were planted in anticipation of the heavy rains.

At the same time, the water provider said they are working on projects that will completely end water rationing in the area.

He cited Sh11 billion projects that are expected to double the company’s water production including one funded by the Danish International Development Agency (Danida) Sustainable Infrastructure Finance (DSIF) and the Kenyan Government.

The projects, which he said are in the detailed design stage will see new dams and water treatment sites constructed and will address water and sewerage challenges up to 2042.

Thiwasco currently produces 36,000 cubic meters of water daily against a population of 379,429 residents as per the 2019 national census and a demand of 60,000 cubic metres.

The company’s Board of Directors chairperson Eng. Mukora Wa Kimani expressed the need for Kenyans to embrace the habit of planting trees regularly saying this year alone, the company has planted 12,000 trees in schools, along river banks, and in high-traffic areas.

Courtesy; KNA