Northern Water Works Development Agency Sponsors KEWI Training to Strengthen Non-Revenue Water Management
The Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) has successfully concluded a five-day Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Management training for the first cohort of participants under the sponsorship of the Northern Water Works Development Agency (NWWDA), reaffirming the critical role of strategic partnerships in strengthening capacity within Kenya's water sector.
The Northern Water Works Development Agency, mandated to develop, maintain and manage water and sewerage infrastructure in Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Samburu and Marsabit counties, sponsored the programme as part of a broader initiative comprising four specialized training series. The sponsored programmes include Non-Revenue Water Management, Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Networks, Metering, Billing and Revenue Collection, and the Water Operators' Course.
The training brought together participants from Meru Water and Sewerage Services Limited, Kirinyaga County Water and Sanitation PLC, Othaya-Mukurweini Water and Sanitation PLC, Tharaka Nithi Water and Sanitation PLC, Marsabit Water and Sewerage Company, and Mandera Water and Sewerage Company.
During the intensive programme, participants gained practical knowledge on water balance principles, error balance analysis, development of utility water balances, leak detection, smart metering, metrology, water meter selection and installation, billing systems, revenue collection, pressure management, district metered areas (DMAs), network zoning, pressure reducing valves (PRVs), active leakage control, acoustic leak detection, correlators, step testing, pressure logging, customer meter management, meter testing, billing accuracy, commercial loss reduction, illegal connections, meter tampering and physical loss management.
A key highlight of the training was a practical visit to KEWI's Non-Revenue Water Centre of Excellence, where participants interacted with modern technologies used to reduce water losses. They received hands-on demonstrations on leak detection techniques, application of smart metering systems within District Metered Areas, and modern pipe installation technologies, including the use of a Butt Fusion Welding Machine.
The trainees also visited KEWI's Hydrology Laboratory, where they observed the operation of the 6-metre Automatic Meter Test Bench—a custom-built system designed to evaluate the accuracy, performance and functionality of utility water meters. The advanced facility supports commercial meter testing and calibration, providing utilities with a critical tool for addressing non-revenue water losses through improved meter accuracy.
The successful completion of this sponsored programme demonstrates the value of partnerships between KEWI and sector institutions in building a highly skilled workforce capable of improving service delivery and operational efficiency. By investing in staff capacity development, organizations not only enhance technical competencies but also contribute to improved water security and sustainable utility performance.
KEWI welcomes more organizations, county governments, water service providers, water works development agencies, development partners and private sector players to partner with the Institute in sponsoring specialized training programmes. Such collaborations are essential in equipping the sector with the knowledge, technologies and practical skills needed to address emerging challenges and deliver reliable, efficient and sustainable water services across Kenya