Customers of the Embu Water and Sanitation Company (EWASCO) have decried what they term as exorbitant water bills, calling for a reduction in sewage charges currently set at 75 percent of consumed water.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting with EWASCO’s management at a hotel in Embu, residents argued that the rising water tariffs were making the utility unaffordable.
They noted that the 75 percent sewage charge amounts to double taxation.
“About 90 percent of the water in our houses is used for toilets, washing, and cleaning before it goes through the sewage system. Charging this water at an already raised tariff rate and adding a 75 percent sewage fee is unfair,” said John Mugo Mate, chairman of the Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Embu chapter.
Mate further criticized the recent water tariff hike from Sh46 to Sh93 per cubic meter, calling it an unrealistic increase of over 100 percent.
His concerns were echoed by landlords, including Martin Mwangi, who lamented that the higher costs were burdening tenants.
Samwel Kanyi, another stakeholder at the meeting, suggested that EWASCO’s management board could seek government incentives to help reduce water charges.
In response, EWASCO Managing Director James Njeru acknowledged the proposal, stating that they would explore the possibility of securing incentives to ease the financial burden on consumers.
Njeru also explained that tariff reviews are conducted by the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) and that EWASCO had applied for the review for the period 2024/2025 to 2027/2028 under the Water Act 2016.
WASREB, after public consultations, approved the tariff adjustments, stating that they were necessary to enhance service delivery, ensure financial sustainability, and protect consumer interests.
Additionally, the regulator announced that the new tariffs for water and sewerage services will be subject to annual inflation adjustments, which will take effect every July starting in 2025.
Despite this, residents insist that the high charges will strain households and businesses, urging EWASCO and WASREB to reconsider the sewage fee and explore alternative ways to cushion consumers.
EWASCO maintains that its priority is delivering high-quality water and sanitation services.
The company assures residents that its water is safe for drinking, with a turbidity level of just 0.36 percent, well within safe limits. Several independent sources have also ranked EWASCO among the best water providers in East Africa.
The WHO (World Health Organization), recommends that the turbidity of drinking water shouldn’t be more than 5 NTU.
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