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prescribed effluent discharge standards. In both plants, the sewerage treatment efficiency is low and the final effluent discharged into Nairobi River does not meet the prescribed standards for Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). For example, the BOD, COD and TSS levels of final discharges from the Ruai plant are 70 mg/l, 291 mg/l and 131 mg/l while the standard quality for such discharges are 30 mg/l, 50 mg/l and 30 mg/l, respectively (NCWSC 2010).


ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE APPROACHES It is essential that water, which is a scarce but vital natural resource, is abstracted and used sustainably. To enhance sustainability and equitable water and sewerage services in Nairobi, the NCWSC has adopted the following approaches: • Creating awareness and encouraging adoption of Cleaner Production practices among water users so as to minimize waste and increase water use efficiency;


• Reduction of non-revenue water from 45 per cent (2004/5) to 39 per cent (2008/9) through upgrade of infrastructure, improved billing systems, and reduction of illegal connections, leaks and bursts; and


• Developing an interest in Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) as an attractive tool for sustainable conservation of watersheds (Pagiola 2006, World Bank 2006, Yatich and others 2008). Msafiri (2008) assessing Sasumua Dam and its catchment, argues that physical and chemical water purification are more expensive compared to natural systems. Opportunities for adoption and implementation of PES exist due to: • The water sector reforms following the enactment of the Water Act (2002)’ which separated water services from water resources management;


• The Environmental Management and Coordination Act (1999), which makes provisions for conservation of hilltops and other environmentally sensitive areas;


• The NCWSC spends about USD 170 000 monthly on chemicals and USD 110 000 annually for de-sludging Sasumua Dam, funds which could be saved by adopting PES; and


• The successful private-public-partnership involving the Rhino Ark (a charitable trust), the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Forest Service, which completed the fencing of the Aberdare Conservation Area in 2009, demonstrates the benefits to be derived from PES.


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