Nairobi residents can now plan their water usage more effectively, as the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company has introduced an online platform to track scheduled water supply days.
The service, unveiled Thursday, provides real-time updates on supply status, giving households, businesses, and institutions across the city the ability to check when their areas will receive water.
The new digital tool provides access to the Equitable Water Distribution Schedule, marking a shift toward technology-driven service delivery.
Through the platform, users can log in via Nairobi Water’s website to view their area’s supply timetable, allowing them to store water efficiently and manage consumption amid rising demand.
Governor Johnson Sakaja said the initiative is part of efforts to enhance transparency and ensure residents have accurate information about water distribution.
“We want residents to know exactly when they will get water so they can plan accordingly,” he said.
Despite the innovation, illegal water connections continue to challenge Nairobi Water.
The county estimates that out of 560,000 cubic metres of water supplied daily, about 300,000 cubic metres are lost through unlawful connections and other irregular tapping, severely limiting the company’s ability to meet demand.
Speaking to the Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee in July, Sakaja proposed penalties for residents who deny access to water meters, citing that meter readers often face obstacles such as homeowners being away or housekeepers refusing entry.
He said the move is aimed at improving efficiency and reducing revenue losses.
Past audits underline the gravity of the problem.
Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu reported that in 2020, Nairobi Water produced 176.04 million cubic metres of water but billed only 86.35 million cubic metres, leaving over half, 89.69 million cubic metres, unaccounted for largely due to illegal connections.
In 2023 alone, the Lang’ata Pipeline section serving Lang’ata, High Rise, Ngei Estate, and parts of Kibera recorded around 130 illegal connections.
The online platform is expected to empower residents, streamline water distribution, and reduce reliance on informal channels, marking a major step toward a more accountable and predictable water service in Nairobi.
