Water and Sanitation

Water and sanitation are critical sectors for Kilifi County, with a direct impact on the health, wellbeing, and economic development of its population. However, significant gaps exist in the supply and management of water resources, which pose challenges for the county’s growing population and industries. Addressing these gaps through innovative solutions provides vast opportunities for investment in sustainable water management. This brief outlines the existing gaps and the corresponding opportunities to enhance water and sanitation services in Kilifi County.

1. Water Supply Deficit

Gap:
Kilifi County currently faces a substantial water supply deficit, with an available supply of only 65,000 cubic meters per day (m³/day), against a demand of 265,000 m³/day. This shortfall creates water scarcity for households, businesses, and agriculture, affecting livelihoods and limiting the county’s ability to attract new investments. The deficit is expected to grow with increasing population and economic activities, making it critical to find alternative water sources.

Opportunity:
Investing in desalination technology offers a promising solution to the county’s water supply gap. Kilifi’s proximity to the Indian Ocean presents a viable opportunity to produce desalinated water, which could add up to 100,000 m³/day to the county’s water supply. Desalination can provide a sustainable and reliable source of clean water, particularly for coastal communities and industries.

Investment areas include:
– Establishing desalination plants along Kilifi’s coast, capable of producing 100,000 m³/day to supplement the county’s water supply.
– Creating public-private partnerships (PPPs) to fund and manage desalination projects, ensuring long-term viability and maintenance.
– Integrating desalination technology with solar energy to reduce operational costs and promote environmental sustainability.
– Expanding water distribution networks to deliver desalinated water to underserved areas, including rural and peri-urban communities.

With desalination, Kilifi County can achieve a more stable and consistent water supply, meeting the needs of its growing population while attracting industries that rely on a reliable water source.

2. Manual Water Meter Readings

Gap:
The current water metering system in Kilifi County relies on manual readings, which are inefficient, prone to errors, and contribute to water loss through undetected leaks and inaccuracies in billing. The manual process also leads to delays in capturing water usage data and affects the county’s ability to manage water resources effectively.

Opportunity:
The installation of smart water meters presents a significant opportunity to modernize Kilifi’s water management system. Smart meters offer real-time data on water usage, detect leaks, and allow for accurate billing, which can help reduce water losses, improve revenue collection, and optimize resource management.

Key investment areas include:
– Installing smart water meters in households, businesses, and public institutions to enable real-time water consumption monitoring.
– Developing a central data management system for tracking water usage, identifying inefficiencies, and detecting leaks promptly.
– Educating consumers on the benefits of smart meters, such as more accurate billing and better water conservation practices.
– Offering partnership opportunities for tech companies to provide smart meter solutions, software, and maintenance services.

Smart water meters will enable Kilifi County to improve water efficiency, enhance service delivery, and ensure more accurate billing, leading to better resource management and increased customer satisfaction.

3. High Cost of Electricity and Diesel for Pumping

Gap:
Water pumping in Kilifi County is highly dependent on electricity and diesel, which come with high operational costs. These energy costs drive up the price of water supply, putting a strain on both the water service providers and consumers. Additionally, the reliance on fossil fuels contributes to environmental degradation and is not aligned with the global shift toward renewable energy solutions.

Opportunity:
Transitioning to solar-powered water pumping systems presents a valuable opportunity to reduce the high operational costs associated with electricity and diesel while promoting sustainable energy use. Solar energy is abundant in Kilifi, making it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for powering water pumps, especially in rural and off-grid areas.

Investment opportunities include:
– Installing solar-powered water pumping systems to replace or supplement existing electricity and diesel-powered pumps, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
– Developing solar water pumping projects in rural and underserved areas to ensure reliable and affordable water supply.
– Promoting public-private partnerships to fund solar water infrastructure and maintenance, ensuring long-term sustainability.
– Integrating solar-powered desalination plants to create a fully sustainable water supply system for coastal communities.

By leveraging solar energy for water pumping, Kilifi County can significantly reduce operational costs, provide more affordable water to residents, and align with global sustainability goals.

Conclusion

Kilifi County’s water and sanitation sectors present significant investment opportunities, particularly in addressing the water supply deficit, modernizing water metering systems, and transitioning to renewable energy for water pumping. By investing in desalination, smart water meters, and solar-powered systems, the county can build a resilient and sustainable water infrastructure that meets the needs of its growing population and industries. Investors are invited to explore these opportunities at the Kilifi County International Investment Conference (KCIIC) and partner with the Kilifi County Government to drive innovative water solutions that ensure long-term sustainability and prosperity for the region.