Determinants of high non-revenue water: a case of water utilities in Murang'a county, Kenya
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Date
2014-10-31
Authors
Mukundi, Maina Joseph
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Non-Revenue Wate-ris a major challenge for water utilities especially in developing countries
where water network maintenance has often been neglected for long periods of time as the loss
of water produced can endanger the recovery of their expenses. Strategies to reduce water losses
have been developed and are practiced worldwide. Whilst developed countries have to cope
mainly with physical losses, developing countries are also facing the issue of commercial losses
including water meters inaccuracies and water thefts. In spite of the establishment of a water loss
control unit and various action plans launched by the ministry in-charge of water to reduce
NRW, the water losses in Kenya water supply system still remain high. Over the past decades,
the water situation for Murang'a county has changed from one of relative abundance to one of
relative scarcity. This is because the population growth and rapid urbanization are imposing
rapidly growing demands and pressure on the water resources. This is coupled with high levels
of NRW due to high leakage and inefficient maintenance of pipe network which has resulted into
customer complaints and huge financial losses. The purpose of this research study is to scrutinize
the non-revenue water determinants in the water utilities in Murang'a county so as to assist
policy makers in developing strategies to reduce and control the non-revenue water. For the
purpose of this study, case study design of research will be used. The study will be carried out in
Murang'a county, Kenya. It will focus on the water supply region in the areas of jurisdiction of
the five water services providers in the county. For logistical and budgetary concerns the
researcher will study the management staff from the five water services providers in Murang'a
county. The target population for this study will be the 270 employees in top, middle and low
level management in the companies. From the above population of 270, a sample of 30% from
within each group in proportions that each group bear to the population as a whole will be taken.
In this research, semi-structured questionnaires are the instruments to be used. The tools
designed by the researcher based on the research questions will be pilot tested to refine the
questions before it can be administered to the selected sample. Quantitative analysis will be used
to analyze data.
Description
Department of Public Policy and Administration, 69 p. 2015