Governor Hassan Joho and a team of county officials on Saturday laid pipes for the rehabilitation of the Mombasa water supply system.
The interconnection of the existing system will link Kisauni, Kongowea and Nyali water lines to the Nguu Tatu reserve. The Sh900 million project is expected to relieve the area of persistent water shortage.
“Water demand and the population of Mombasa has increased while we were still depending on the old pipes laid during the colonial era. We are however confident that the new pipes, which hold twice the capacity of the current system, will increase water supply in Mombasa,” said Joho at Ratna square.
The project is co-funded by the world Bank and the French Development Agency. It involves replacement of the 42km pipes supplying water into Mombasa from Mwache and Mzima Dams.
Mombasa has a demand of about 160,000 cubic metres of water per day but currently has a deficit of about 69 per cent.
“This project will return water supply in a bigger way to Mombasa. The project will be completed by May this year,” said Mombasa Water MD Alome Kasera.
Governor Hassan Joho led a team of County officials, Coast water services board and the Mombasa water and sewerage company to lay pipes for the project at Ratna square in Nyali, on Saturday morning.
According to , the old pipes, build during the colonial period, have a smaller handling capacity and have rusted leading to leakages hence short supply of water in the county.
She however expressed confidence that the new pipes with a bigger capacity will improve and expand the water supply in Mombasa.
Joho said his government is keen on providing clean and sufficient water to residents. He said they are in talks with Chinese Exim Bank to fund the Mzima II water project to the tune of $10 million (Sh850 million).
“We are looking forward to see increased distribution of water to household units in the county. We are consulting neighbouring counties on Mzima II and Mwache Dam among other sources to increase water supply and sanitation for our people,” said Joho.
The current project, which begun in 2012, also includes installation of 18 zonal metres, rehabilitation of tanks at Nguu Tatu water reserve, repair of the Makupa causeway pipeline and connection of water to at least 15 water kiosks.