• Ashiono said the repairs will include fixing of filters and the raw water main line that continuous erosion left exposed.
• Company's technical manager Celcus Shilehwa said non-revenue water caused by illegal connections, bursting of pipes and theft denies the company Sh15 million every month.
The Kakamega water company is undertaking Sh12 million repair works on its main intake in Tindinyo to improve supply.
The repairs by the Kakamega County Urban Water and Sanitation Company will fix water shortages experienced in the town and its environs.
KACUWASCO chief executive Christabel Ashiono said they are also seeking to end illegal connections that result in 41 per cent non-revenue water.
“We are aware of the public outcry due to shortage of water in the town and this will be fixed once the maintenance is complete,” she said.
"There are cases of illegal connections to our main line which we are seeking to detect and deal with the problem through the maintenance process."
Ashiono said the repairs will include fixing of filters and the raw water main line that continuous erosion left exposed.
She spoke on Saturday during an inspection tour by the company board chaired by Prof Laban Ayiro.
On February 14, the CEO announced a Sh87 million programme to expand storage capacity by building storage tanks in Lirhanda, Shinyalu subcounty.
The tanks with the capacity to hold five million litres of water (5,000 cubic metres) will more than double the current capacity of 2,225 cubic metres.
Although the company produces enough water, insufficient storage facilities and rampant illegal connections have curtailed its capacity to satisfy the growing urban population.
Ayiro said the company is committed to ensuring each household has piped water.
"Our main goal is to address the challenges of water shortages and rationing and ensure a continuous supply of water for all residents," he said.
During his 2017 reelection campaigns, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya promised to deliver piped water to every household by 2022. This has yet to be achieved.
He asked the county government to support the company to start piping from the five million litre capacity tanks at Lirhanda.
"The tank will be completed within four months, and now we need to start focusing on the piping process so that people can get this water," he said.
Company's technical manager Celcus Shilehwa said non-revenue water caused by illegal connections, bursting of pipes and theft denies the company Sh15 million every month.
He said the company is adopting digital technology and universal metering to curb the challenge of non-revenue water. Construction of the tanks is expected to be completed by April.
Edited by A.N