Determinants Of High Non-Revenue Water: A Case Of Water Utilities In Murang’a County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Non-Revenue Water is 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 non-revenue water, 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 non-revenue water 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 was 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 was used. The study was carried out in Murang‟a county, Kenya. It focused 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 studied the management staff from the five water services providers in Murang‟a county. The target population for this study was 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 was taken. In this research, semi-structured questionnaires were the instruments used. The tools designed by the researcher based on the research questions were pilot tested to refine the questions before they were administered to the selected sample. Quantitative analysis was used to analyze data. The study established that the level of contribution of bursts and leakages to the overall level of non-revenue water in the organization was moderate. The study deduced that accounting errors determine the overall level of non-revenue water in the organization moderately. The study concludes that bursts and leakages contribute significantly to the overall level of non-revenue water. The study also concluded that the age of infrastructure and quality of water pipes and fittings can lead to bursts and leakages which increase the level of non-revenue water. From the findings and conclusions the study recommended that the water companies in Murang‟a county should regularly check their infrastructure to know its state at all times. This will eliminate the cases of bursts and leakages that go unnoticed and thereby increasing the level of non-revenue water.