Factors Influencing Water Supply’s Non Revenue Water: A Case Of Webuye Water Supply Scheme

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the factors influencing water supply’s non revenue water (NRW): a case of Webuye water supply scheme of Nzoia Water Services Company Limited (NZOWASCO). The study was conducted under guidance of the following objectives; To assess the extent to which meter registration inaccuracy influence non revenue water at Webuye water supply scheme. To establish how unmetered consumption influence non revenue water at Webuye water supply scheme. To examine how illegal consumption influence non revenue water at Webuye water supply scheme. To evaluate the influence of water tariff on non revenue water at Webuye water supply scheme. The study sought to ascertain the following hypothesis; There is no significant relationship between meter registration inaccuracy and non revenue water at Webuye water supply scheme. There is no significant relationship between unmetered consumption and non revenue water at Webuye water supply scheme. There is no significant relationship between illegal consumption and non revenue water at Webuye water supply scheme. There is no significant relationship between water tariff and non revenue water at Webuye water supply scheme. The study employed ex-post facto descriptive survey research methodology with both quantitative and qualitative research designs. The study targeted a population of 1658 registered water consumers of Webuye water supply scheme whose composition was; domestic consumers, institutional consumers, commercial consumers and water kiosk operators. Yamane, T. (1967) formula was applied at 93 percent confidence level to obtain a sample size of 183 consumer connections and 183 consumer water meters. The primary data for the study was obtained through questionnaires and field observations. The questionnaire was pilot-tested using a sample of ten (10) respondents from Bungoma water supply scheme after which its reliability was determined using pearson product moment correlation coefficient (r) and obtained r = +0.68. Field observations were made using a portable clamp on ultrasonic flow meter and a stationary meter test bench. The secondary data for the study was obtained through document review. The sample for registered water consumers and consumer meters was determined through stratified sampling in accordance with the classification of the consumers, then systematic sampling and finally random sampling. The final data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). From the study’s findings, hypothesis tests revealed that; There was significant positive relationship between meter registration inaccuracy and non revenue water at 1% level of significance at Webuye water supply scheme. There was significant positive relationship between unmetered consumption and non revenue water at 1% level of significance at Webuye water supply scheme. There was significant positive relationship between illegal consumption and non revenue water at 1% level of significance at Webuye water supply scheme. There was no significant relationship between water tariff and non revenue water at Webuye water supply scheme. Based on the study findings it is suggested that; NZOWASCO should develop and implement a NRW reduction strategy at Webuye water supply scheme which should include water meter registration accuracy enhancement. There is need for NZOWASCO to meter all unmetered consumer connections and carry out regular servicing and calibration of consumer water meters at Webuye water supply scheme. To suppress illegal water consumption, NZOWASCO should carry out periodic customer base audit by reconciling office consumer database with field connections. NZOWASCO should constitute and operationalize a NRW team to oversee and enforce implementation of NRW reduction activities on daily basis at Webuye water supply scheme. The study suggested for further research as follows; A research to be carried out on the influence of unbilled authorized consumption on non revenue water. An in depth analysis be carried out on the influence of billing system errors on non revenue water. Further, it is also suggested that an analysis be carried out on influence of management style on non revenue water.