Challenges of Wastewater management in Kisumu City

The global wastewater generation is increasing at an exponential rate and this is as a result of rapid population growth and urbanization. A huge volume of untreated wastewater is dumped directly into our water resources, threatening human health, ecosystems, biodiversity, food security and the sustainability of our water resources. Only a small fraction of the total volume of wastewater collected in developing cities is treated at the secondary level. In Kenya, urbanization is increasing at a very high rate and the speed at which slums are coming up is alarming. Given the sheer density of urban living and the way slums and their cities are interrelated, the impact of poor sanitation as a result of poor waste water management is worst in the urban area than in rural areas. All these impact negatively on the health stability, environmental issues and economic values of any region. With the expanding population in Kisumu demand for services such as portable water and wastewater management/treatment is increasing; 60% of Kisumus population has no access to safe drinking water as only 20% of the waste (solid and wastewater) produced is properly collected and dumped.

Peter N Karanja, MSc in Project Management: JomoKenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, BSc Water and Environmental Engineering: Egerton University. Assistant Resident Engineer Seureca, Kisumu project-Kenya.