Established under the Water Act of 2002, Nyeri Water and Sanitation Company (NYEWASCO) is mandated to provide high-quality water and sewerage services to residents of Nyeri Central Sub-County and its environs. In its continuous pursuit of operational excellence, NYEWASCO has partnered with Danco Capital Limited since 2015 to implement sustainable solutions aimed at reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW).

Danco Capital’s contribution has been significant, supplying high-quality pipes, fittings, and water meters that have enhanced the utility’s efficiency, reduced losses, and lowered operational costs. In addition to providing quality products, Danco also offered hands-on training and technical support to NYEWASCO teams, helping them seamlessly integrate new technologies. Over 3,323 kilometers of HDPE pipes have been supplied, greatly improving the water distribution network.

As a result of these efforts, NYEWASCO has earned national recognition, being ranked as the best-performing Water Service Provider (WSP) in the WASREB Impact Report for the year 2020/2021. This award highlights the utility’s outstanding performance. Despite substantial progress, NYEWASCO continued to grapple with high levels of water loss, fraud, and theft, as well as inaccurate meter readings and costly maintenance due to frequent leaks. One of the most affected areas is the District Metered Area (DMA) in Zone 7 (Kamakwa), which recorded an average NRW of 33.28% between July and September 2022, contributing significantly to overall water loss.

In response to these challenges, NYEWASCO sought innovative solutions. The utility undertook a national competitive tender process to identify a suitable supplier for smart ultrasonic flow meters. After a comprehensive evaluation, Danco Capital was selected as the preferred supplier. In 2022, Danco, in collaboration with its partner Diehl Metering, initiated an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) project. This project enabled NYEWASCO to remotely monitor and manage its meters, ensuring greater accuracy and improved efficiency.  Danco provided and installed 7 smart ultrasonic flow meters, ranging from 50mm to 150mm, within a 500-meter radius, and six bulk electromagnetic production meters, including a DN500 meter, strategically placed to improve monitoring and efficiency.

Eng. Peter Kahuthu, NYEWASCO’s Managing Director, emphasized that the initiative was part of their ongoing commitment to upgrading systems in line with technological advancements, aimed at improving water accountability, reducing NRW, and enhancing the reliability of the distribution network. The solution, which included the installation of meters for real-time monitoring of flows, has been key in identifying and addressing water losses.

NYEWASCO has provided real value to the community by ensuring more consistent service, fewer interruptions, and better access to water. The integration of modern technology, including ultrasonic and Badger smart metering systems, has further enhanced NYEWASCO’s ability to manage water resources effectively, improving billing accuracy and overall customer satisfaction. This approach is a testament to NYEWASCO’s commitment to delivering reliable and efficient water services.

Eng. Kahuthu confirmed in an interview with Spice FM, a leading radio station in Kenya, that Nyeri has achieved 100% water coverage, attributing this success to the region’s strategic position, benefiting from the natural resources of two major water towers—The Aberdares and Mount Kenya. These mountains feed into the Chania River, a vital water source for the region. Eng. Kahuthu highlighted NYEWASCO’s meticulous efforts to account for every drop of water sourced from the Chania River, which has contributed to reducing NRW and improving operational efficiency. The company’s rigorous water conservation practices, paired with the natural abundance provided by these water towers, have enabled NYEWASCO to focus on sustainable water provision and continuous infrastructure improvements.

This seamless service delivery reflects a joint commitment to innovation, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

• A total of 3,323.24 kilometers of HDPE pipes were supplied, contributing significantly to the expansion and enhancement of water infrastructure.
• NYEWASCO has installed 7 smart meters, ranging from 50mm to 150mm, within a radius of 500 meters, along with 6 bulk production electromagnetic meters. The DN500 bulk electromagnetic meter installed at the main discharge line from treatment works that forms the basis of their water balance.
• Through the provision of quality meters, pipes, and fittings, as well as proactive management activities, NYEWASCO has reduced its NRW to 15%, significantly below the national average of 40%.
• Nyeri Water has been evaluated for the 14th time in a row as the Best performing WSP during the WASREB impact report of 2020/2021 reflecting NYEWASCO’s consistent excellence in water resource management

In addition to product supply, Danco Capital facilitated capacity-building initiatives that included product training sessions and factory visits, which enhanced the understanding of water pipes, pipe materials, jointing techniques, and metering technologies. These training sessions contributed to improved technical knowledge and operational efficiency among the NYEWASCO teams, further supporting their goal of sustainable water management.

Through this partnership, Danco and NYEWASCO have demonstrated a shared commitment to enhancing water service delivery in Nyeri, driving regional development and setting a powerful example for other Water Service Providers (WSPs) across Kenya. While acknowledging Nyeri’s impressive progress, Eng. Kahuthu noted that many WSPs still face significant challenges, including limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and disparities in governance and management. Nonetheless, Nyeri’s success stands as a benchmark that offers valuable insights and inspiration for other regions working to improve access to sustainable and efficient water services.