Kisumu residents urged to conserve water catchment areas

Kisumu residents have been urged to help in the restoration and conservation of water catchment areas for steady water provision in the county.

Deputy Governor Mathews Owili called on residents to conserve and embrace massive tree planting in water towers in the county.

He pointed out that tree planting conservation of the environment was the best way to help mitigate the effects of climate change.

Owili while presiding over world water day celebrations held at the Kajulu water intake plant in Kisumu East sub-county said every resident should not be left behind on matters of ecosystem conservation.

Present were county executives Maryline Agwa (water), Salmon Orimba (Infrastructure), Kisumu water and sanitation company Managing director Thomas Odongo and USAID Western Kenya water project team leader  Japheth Mbuvi.

He reiterated the county’s commitment to the conservation of all the water catchment areas in the county to ensure water supply to residents was not jeopardized.

Owili emphasized the need to speed up efforts towards achieving sustainable water management practices.

“This year’s world water day is about accelerating change to solve the water crisis. And because water affects us all, we need everyone to take action,” he said.

Besides being complicated, Owili said water management was difficult, noting that many issues put access to clean, safe water in jeopardy.

He cited climate change, aquifer depletion, and pollution threatening the amount of water available.

Combined with a growing demand for water, the DG noted that those responsible for water management face an uphill battle, which requires collective responsibility from all stakeholders.

Owili said the focus has been on water service provision with little emphasis on water resources management in the recent past.

“Kisumu county government, being cognizant of the effect of Climate change on water services provision, is now concentrating on water resource management as a mitigation measure against the effect of climate change on water service provision,” he said.

Owili stated that sustainable management of water resources requires a collaborative effort from stakeholders.

“It is therefore a wakeup call for all of us to plant trees and adhere to regulations set by authorities for drilling of boreholes and construction of shallow wells,” he added.

Owili praised development partners for their significant roles, played in ensuring Kisumu enjoys the values of a water-secure county.

“We should not relent in creating awareness and underscoring the importance of integrated water resources management,” he said.

Owili said members of the Kisumu county WASH network have relentlessly put efforts into ensuring the county enjoys clean potable water as envisaged in their government.

Kiwasco MD called for the restoration of Kajulu water catchment areas, noting that 60 percent of water supplied to Kisumu residents was being abstracted in the area.

Odongo asked residents to plant more trees as part of the efforts targeted at protecting water towers.

He announced plans to have a bursary fund to sponsor needy and bright students to schools.

Odongo pointed out that the company did not release slug into the river before being taken to the laboratory for testing and to ensure it was safe.

“We are committed to the provision of water to our clients. For us it is about sustainability and doing our things the best way that adds social value to the stakeholders,” Odongo said.

He pointed out that the company was focused on the adequacy of the water that the abstract and treat for human consumption.

Odongo cited improper land use management, industrial waste and human waste as the main source of pollution in water bodies.

“If we are able to manage these then we are going to eliminate pollution to ensure all projects being implemented are environmentally friendly,” he said.

He revealed that plans were underway to establish a sludge drying bed in Kajulu that will address the effects of sludge in the area.

“When we wash our tanks that slug is released back to the river and it affects the people downstream. This will end once we build a sludge drying bed,” Odongo said.

Mbuvi regretted the degradation of the ecosystem in Kajulu hills which Kiwasco abstracted water for treatment and supply.

He called on residents to enhance tree planting in the Kajulu water tower to ensure a steady supply of safe and clean drinking water.