Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company (NAWASSCO) @NakuruWater

What Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company (NAWASSCO) @NakuruWater does

Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company Limited (NAWASSCO) is a privately registered but government-owned water and sanitation utility, incorporated on 8 September 2003 under Kenya's Companies Act with the County Government of Nakuru as its majority shareholder. The company holds the licensed monopoly for water and sewerage services across Nakuru Town East and West Sub Counties, spanning a 320 km² service area that includes the 270 km² municipality plus 50 km² of peri-urban territory.

Operations are built on a diversified water sourcing portfolio comprising seven groundwater borehole clusters (Kiundo, Kabatini, Nairobi Road, Baharini, Olbanita), two surface water intakes (Mereroni and Malewa rivers), and bulk supply from NARUWASCO. Wastewater is handled through two treatment plants — Njoro (9,600 m³/day capacity, ~45% utilized) and Old Town (6,600 m³/day, ~50% utilized) — connected via a 200 km sewer network. The company also operates accredited laboratory testing services for water quality assessment.

Revenue is generated primarily through usage-based monthly tariffs regulated by WASREB across domestic, commercial, industrial, and institutional customer segments, with sewer charges set at 75% (domestic) and 100% (commercial) of water charges. A dedicated pro-poor strategy targets low-income consumers via water kiosks, pre-paid meters, and yard taps, funded through the Water Sector Trust Fund and development partners including UNICEF, Embassy of Sweden, and Vitens Evides International. Customer payment is enabled through M-Pesa, USSD (*483*81#), and e-billing channels. The company maintains a wholly-owned subsidiary, NAWASSCOAL, and a 2025 Water Rationing Program confirms ongoing supply-demand imbalance constraining volume growth.

Name

Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company (NAWASSCO) @NakuruWater

Legal name

Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company Limited

Website

https://nakuruwater.co.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NAWASSCO is a government-owned water and sanitation utility, licensed by WASREB and majority-owned by the County Government of Nakuru, providing water supply, sewerage, and laboratory testing services across a 320 km² service area in Nakuru City, Kenya.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water and Sanitation Utility Services

NAICS

Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Raw Water Conveyance & Transmission (Aqueducts, Mains, Pumping Stations) (EUANAAAB)

Keywords

• Water utility services
• Water supply services
• Sanitation services
• Wastewater treatment
• Sewerage services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nakuru

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Water Supply Services: Revenue from providing treated water to domestic, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers. Water is supplied through metered connections, water kiosks, pre-paid meters, and yard taps.
2. Sanitation and Sewerage Services: Revenue from sewer connections and wastewater treatment services. Sewer charges are calculated as 75% of water charge for domestic customers and 100% for commercial customers.
3. Laboratory Testing Services: Revenue from water quality testing services including Full Chemical Analysis (Ksh 13,900), Bacteriological Analysis (Ksh 12,420), and wastewater/industrial effluent testing.
4. Connection and Reconnection Fees: Revenue from new water and sewer connections, as well as reconnection fees (wire seal reconnection Ksh 1,000; main reconnection Ksh 5,000).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NAWASSCO operates as a water and sanitation utility providing treated water supply and sewerage services to Nakuru Town East and West Sub Counties covering 320 km². The company extracts and treats water from 8 sources (5 borehole fields and 2 river intakes plus NARUWASCO bulk supply) and operates two sewerage treatment plants (Njoro and Old Town) with combined capacity of 16,200m³/day across a 200km sewer network. Services are complemented by accredited laboratory water testing, new connections, pre-paid meters, water kiosks for low-income consumers, and online/M-Pesa/USSD payment options.

Product overview

NAWASSCO operates as a water utility providing integrated water supply and sanitation services to Nakuru City and peri-urban areas covering 320 km². The core offerings consist of Water Supply Services (sourced from 7 groundwater borehole locations, 2 river intakes, and bulk supply from NARUWASCO) and Sewer Services (via 2 treatment plants with combined capacity of 16,200m³/day over a 200km network). The company complements its core operations with laboratory water testing, water kiosks and pre-paid meters for low-income consumers, self-meter reading, online payment via M-Pesa and USSD, complaints management, water conservation advisory, and water rationing programs. All services are delivered through 5 zonal offices and supported by a customer-facing web portal for e-billing, bill viewing, and complaints.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Supply Services Provides treated water supply for domestic, commercial, industrial, and institutional purposes within Nakuru Town East and West Sub Counties. Sourced from 8 water sources including groundwater (Kiundo, Kabatini, Nairobi Road, Baharini, Olbanita boreholes) and surface water (River Mereroni and Malewa intakes), supplemented by NARUWASCO bulk supply.
• Sewer Services Domestic and industrial wastewater collection and treatment services. Operates two sewerage treatment plants: Njoro (9,600m³/day capacity) and Old Town (6,600m³/day). The sewer network extends 200km serving Nakuru Town East and West, currently reaching 27% of customers.
• Laboratory Water Testing Services Accredited water quality testing services including Full Chemical Analysis (29 parameters at Ksh 13,900), Bacteriological Analysis (Ksh 12,420), and Full Chemical Analysis for Wastewater/Industrial Effluent. Tests for heavy metals, pathogens, plankton/chlorophyll, B.O.D, C.O.D, oil and grease, and water suitability assessment.
• Pro-Poor Water and Sanitation Services Specialized water and sanitation services for low-income areas including water kiosks, social connections, and network extensions. Guided by NAWASSCO's Pro-Poor Policy aligned with UN SDGs. Reached 70,278 people with safe water access at 25 liters per person/day through 9 water kiosks and 800 social connections with 15.5km network extension.
• New Connection Services Application and installation services for new water and sewer connections. Customers download Consumer Agreement Form, Sewer Application Form, and Sewer Connection Charges Form from the website to initiate the connection process.
• Online Payment Services Bill payment via M-Pesa mobile money and USSD platform (*483*81#) accessible via HBCC integration. Includes SMS reminders and bill notifications with due dates, enabling customers to pay water bills anytime.
• Disconnection and Reconnection Services Disconnection for non-payment and reconnection services for water and sewer. Reconnection fees: Ksh 1,000 for wire seal, Ksh 5,000 for main reconnection. All customers reconnected within 24 hours after payment confirmation.
• Complaints Management Service Online complaint submission system for billing, water quality, leaks, outages, sewer issues, and faulty meters. Also handles misconduct and corruption reporting as part of the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Policy.
• Water Rationing Program Scheduled water rationing program implemented due to water demand surpassing supply capacity. Maintains a published Water Rationing Schedule for 2025 to manage water distribution equitably across the service area.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70,278 people in low-income areas gained access to safe water at 25 liters per person/day
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNICEF has partnered with NAWASSCO and Nakuru County Department of Health Services to improve access to safe water and sanitation in low-income areas. Funded water kiosks, handwashing facilities at 13 health facilities, and COVID-19 prevention messaging reaching 131,434 people. Achieved 70,278 people with access to safe water and 22,517 staff/patients practicing safe handwashing monthly.
• Water Worx Programme (VEI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Worx Programme managed by Vitens Evides International (VEI) supports NAWASSCO's pro-poor water and sanitation strategies. Part of ongoing development partner collaborations for universal access goals.
• Vitens Evides InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational water utility partnership providing technical assistance and knowledge sharing for pro-poor water and sanitation interventions in Nakuru.
• Water for Life FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting water and sanitation initiatives for underserved communities in Nakuru's low-income areas as part of NAWASSCO's pro-poor strategy.
• Water and Sanitation For the Urban Poor (WSUP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSUP supports NAWASSCO in delivering water and sanitation services to low-income urban consumers through targeted interventions and financing.
• Finish KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish development organization supporting water and sanitation improvements in Nakuru's low-income areas through NAWASSCO's pro-poor programs.
• County Government of NakurucoreOthersMajor shareholder of NAWASSCO. County government provides governance oversight, strategic direction, and can fund pro-poor strategies through Board of Directors proposals.
• WASREBcoreOthersWater Services Regulatory Board regulates NAWASSCO's operations, evaluates and recommends water and sewerage tariffs, and ensures consumer protection standards under Section 72(1) of the Water Act 2016.
• NAWASSCOALcoreOthersSubsidiary company of NAWASSCO focused on additional water and sanitation operations. Was nominated for Postcode Lottery Green Challenge 2018, demonstrating innovative approaches.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Rand Water: South Africa's largest bulk water utility, providing comparable water treatment and distribution services across a broader regional footprint. Relevant as a regional African benchmark for utility operational scale and infrastructure management.
• Umgeni Water: South African water utility providing bulk water supply and wastewater services in KwaZulu-Natal. Comparable African regional water utility with similar regulatory and operational characteristics.

Direct peers

• Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS): Kenyan municipal water utility serving Eldoret under WASREB oversight with comparable water supply and sewerage operations. Similar tier of Kenyan secondary city utility with matching regulatory and shareholder structure.
• Mombasa Water and Sanitation Company (MOWASCO): Coastal Kenyan municipal water utility offering water and sewerage services under WASREB regulation. Same operational structure and regulatory regime as NAWASSCO, though serving a different geographic and climatic context.
• Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO): Kenyan municipal water utility providing water supply and sewerage services in Kisumu under the same WASREB regulatory framework. Directly comparable business model serving a similar secondary Kenyan city customer base.
• Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company: Kenya's largest municipal water utility, serving Nairobi County under WASREB regulation with a similar model of regulated water supply and sewerage services. Highly comparable in business model and regulatory environment, though operating at materially larger scale.
• Nyeri Water and Sewerage Company (NEYWASCO): Kenyan municipal water and sewerage utility operating under the same WASREB framework as NAWASSCO. Directly comparable in scale and operational model for a Kenyan county-level water utility.

Others

• NARUWASCO: Bulk water supplier to NAWASSCO within Nakuru, operating as an upstream provider in the same value chain rather than a direct retail competitor. Closely linked ecosystem participant given explicit supply relationship documented in NAWASSCO's water sources.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NakuruWater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nakuru-water-and-sanitaiton-services-company-nawassco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company (NAWASSCO) @NakuruWater