Heavy rains and flooding have disrupted water supply to several neighbourhoods in Nairobi after key distribution pipelines were damaged, the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company has announced.
In a customer notice issued following the overnight downpour, the utility said floodwaters destroyed sections of its infrastructure, affecting water distribution to multiple residential areas across the city.
“Nairobi Water wishes to notify its customers that the heavy rains from last night and consequent flooding have damaged several water distribution lines, affecting water supply to the following areas,” the company said in the notice.
The disruptions are linked to damage along several pipelines that transport water to estates in the eastern and northern parts of the capital, as well as sections of the Westlands and Lower Kabete areas.
One of the major affected installations is the Outering Road pipeline at the Nairobi River crossing. The damage has affected water supply to Buruburu Phase 1 and Phase 2, Kariobangi South and North, Dandora 1 and parts of Mathare.
Another pipeline running from Eastleigh to Kiambiu has also been damaged, interrupting supply to Eastleigh Section 3, Kiambiu, Jerusalem, Uhuru, Jericho, Ofafa and Harambee estates.
The company further reported damage to the Korogocho to Dandora pipeline, which has affected water supply to Korogocho, parts of Dandora 1 and Kariobangi North.
Residents in parts of Westlands and Lower Kabete are also experiencing interruptions following damage to the Brookside Drive distribution line. The affected stretch covers Lower Kabete Lane and Lower Kabete Road from the junction of Lower Kabete Lane down to Karuna and Brookside Drive.
The utility said its engineers and technical teams had already been deployed to affected sites to assess the extent of the damage and begin restoration work.
“Technical teams have been mobilised and are on-site assessing damage,” the company said.
According to the notice, specialised equipment including flushing units, mobile workshops and cranes have been deployed to assist in repairing the damaged pipelines.
“Flushing units, mobile workshops, and cranes [have been] deployed for the repairs,” the company stated.
Engineers are also monitoring areas where pipelines cross rivers to ensure rising water levels do not cause further damage to the infrastructure.
“Technical teams [are] monitoring river crossings to prevent further damage,” the notice added.
In addition to the pipeline damage, flood-borne debris has also affected operations at the Ngethu Water Treatment Plant, one of the main water treatment facilities serving the city.
The company said efforts are underway to remove debris clogging the Mwagu intake, which is currently affecting water treatment operations at the plant.
“Unclogging of debris at Mwagu intake that is currently affecting water treatment at Ngethu Treatment Plant” is among the measures being undertaken to stabilise water supply.
Nairobi Water said repair works are ongoing and additional interventions will be implemented once the technical assessment is completed.
The utility apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused and appealed for patience as restoration efforts continue.
“Any inconvenience is regretted and we ask for your patience as the team works to restore normal water supply,” the company said.