Factors affecting provision of water by Nanyuki Water and Sewerage Company

Abstract

This study investigated the factors that affect the provision of water by Nanyuki Water and Sewerage Company (NAWASCO). Among the variable reviewed included storage and conveyance, efficiency in revenue collection, increased demand for water and illegal connections. The study used both quantitative and qualitative approach to enable better interpretation of the result.

The target population was drawn from three estates within Nanyuki municipality which took care of estates with high population density, medium and low density; which is a representative sample of the consumers. Purposive selection of an estate was done to capture such factors as owner occupation; systematic random sampling was then done to select the respondents. Primary data was collected through self administered questionnaires with open ended and closed questions.

Descriptive statistics such as the mean, standard deviation and frequency distribution were used to analyze qualitative data. The quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and multiple regression models used to summarize and facilitate comparison of variables. Tables were used to summarize responses for further analysis and response rate was 89%. The study found out the four studied variables affect provision of water by 60.2%. The study concluded that loss of water through conveyance and storage affected provision of water to a great extent, illegal connection to a great extent.

The study also concluded that efficiency in revenue collection affected provision of water to a medium extent while increased demand for water was to a very great extent. The study recommends that NA WASCO should improve on customers complaints to lack of water. The study also recommends that NA WASCO should improve on field surveillance to minimize loss of water through illegal connections.

The study also recommends that NA WASCO facilitates payment of bill through Banks and other money transfer services. Finally the study recommends that NA WASCO improve on water abstraction and storage to meet the ever growing demand for water. The study recommends further studies to be done on effects of commercialization, influence of source of water and social economic factors affecting provision of water.