The County Government of Nakuru is forging public-private partnerships aimed at revamping its aged wastewater treatment, water supply and sewerage systems. Governor Susan Kihika said the 4 decade-old systems is buckling under the pressure of increased industrialization, urbanization and a growing population and poses a pollution threat to the Lake Nakuru Biodiversity. Speaking at her offices when she hosted a delegation from Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency (CRVWW), Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company, (NAWASSCO) and KFW German Development Bank Hon. Kihika noted that the sewerage system covers only about 30 percent of the Rift Valley capital. With households in Nakuru generating about 300 million litres of waste water daily, the Governor underscored the need to put in place a modern and efficient waste water management system which will take into account the recycle and reuse concept and enhance separation of storm water and waste water from residential areas for appropriate filtering and safe disposal. She expressed concern that most of the waste water ends up in rivers and main water sources downstream, putting residents at risk of contracting waterborne diseases like typhoid, dysentery and cholera. Hon. Kihika indicated that plans were in place to expand the sewer systems to other parts of the city, including informal settlements.
Hon. Kihika revealed that among the projects she had lined up to alleviate water shortage in Nakuru are the last mile water pipe connectivity to rural households from Itare Dam once its construction resumes and the expansion of Turasha Dam in Gilgil to bolster water supply to Gilgil sub-county and Nakuru Town. The residents, she added, are also set to benefit from multi-million collaboration between her administration and Vitens Evides International (VEI) aimed at improving water supply infrastructure within the devolved unit.