Developing Geo-database for Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company for Optimum Revenue Collection in Nairobi Informal Settlements Case Study Kayole Soweto

Abstract

In Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, revenue collection in the informal settlements in Nairobi County is a huge challenge. This is due to the huge difference in the amount of water inflows into a specific informal settlement zone and the billed amount from the same zone; which gradually leads to high Unaccountable-for Water (UFW) for each and every informal settlement and generally affecting the entire County with regard to equitable water distribution. With this in mind this project sets out to assess UFW in Nairobi County through Development of a Geodatabase in Kayole Soweto; a sampled zone within Nairobi County. The aim of this project has been six-fold: to assess the amount of water inflow into Kayole Soweto Zone; to assess the water demand status of Kayole Soweto; to assess the water pipeline reticulation status in Kayole Soweto; to assess the number of illegal water consumers to Nairobi Water in Kayole Soweto; to assess legal water consumers in Kayole Soweto; and to assess and correlate illegal water consumption amount with Unaccounted-For Water (UFW). The focus of this project research is to show how use of the right technology and methods for updating and maintenance of customer details can be used to understand challenges in UFW and subsequent revenue collection. The data collection has physically been obtained from the field of Kayole Soweto zone; from the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage billing department; Customer Care; Water Distribution Department and Engineering Department. This Project report generates interest for the company to create and implement Geo-database to manage all company services which will reduce non-revenue water; improve revenue collection; increase customer satisfaction for water services in Nairobi City County and its environs. Geodatabase methodology which has been utilized in this project has confirmed how each dataset is utilized for editing project results to achieve accurate results of the information required; it models GIS and achieves correct and accurate data analysis which finally represents the business work flow and creates a 3D display, that is; the Geodatabase methodology has outlines the steps for a successful billing system, and correct identification of actual location of the customers and operational appurtenances controlling the water flows