Factors Influencing The High Non-revenue Water In Garissa Township, Kenya

Abstract

The overall objective of this study was to find out factors influencing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) in Garissa Township. The study population consisted of Garissa Water and Sewerage Company Limited (GAWASCO) field technical staff in Garissa Township. This study used primary data in the form of questionnaires, and secondary data from existing literature from articles, books, and internet sources. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using cross tabulations and frequency distributions. The main finding of this study was that the level of Non-Revenue Water was unreasonably high. The three key factors influencing NRW were found to be unbilled unmetered consumption, physical losses, and unauthorized consumption. Malfunctioning water meters was found to be the most commonly experienced case relating to meter reading inaccuracies and estimations that influences NRW. The three main strategies employed to reduce NRW were found to be implementing zoning, training staff on NRW management and installing consumer water meters although the first two were found not to be the most appropriate for the high level of non-revenue water. Public ignorance on NRW was found to be the key challenge facing reduction of NRW. From the findings, this study recommends 100% installation of water meters for all connected consumers, conducting public awareness, and improvement of billing and revenue collection to computerized system in order to reduce NRW in Garissa Township to below thirty percent. It is only after achievement of a level of 30% NRW, that any other additional strategy can be employed to reduce it further.