AC-QUA Project: solutions for drinking water in Kenya

Drinking water treatment plants for water vendors in Kenya

The use of water by low-income households in sub-Saharan Africa is severely limited by widespread problems of quality and economic accessibility. Freshwater sources are often subject to various types of contamination. Kenyan water agencies reach only 55% of the population and the remaining 45% and the entire population outside their basins is in an even worse situation and procures water from private or common wells or small operators, often not regular or regulated.

The AC-QUA project intends to bring the technical know-how to solve the most common drinking problems at competitive costs with compact systems, and at the same time it aims to facilitate access to drinking water technology for local businesses and consequently for the low-income population. During 36 months, also through the support of Italian NGOs operating in Kenya, the following activities have been carried out:

• identification and selection of beneficiaries and support for the definition of their business plans; 
• analysis of the water demand expressed by the low-income population in the target communities for each client type; 
• definition and initiation of forms of participation of the user community in the management and monitoring of the water supply service; 
• sensitization of communities on water quality; 
• evaluation of available sources and needs and finalization of technical solutions (final
• design of plants); 
• construction of compact plants, transport and installation in target contexts; 
• technical assistance for the operation of the system. 

Reverse Osmosis System

The reverse osmosis system installed is a skid-mounted plant consisting of one reverse osmosis line (RO membranes) with a capacity of 1.0 m3 /h of permeate. Inlet water gets treated through a starter cartridge filter in order to remove sand or other elements which make the water turbid. The system automatically starts and operates at the required parameters. The plant, built and assembled in the EU and equipped with an interface that allows remote access, is characterized by a robust construction and easy maintenance.  

Sand-GAC (Granular activated Carbon) filtration unit

The sand-GAC filtration unit is a proven option designed to remove organic chemicals from water and those chemical substances that give odors or tastes to water such as hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs odor) or chlorine.

Location: Isiolo and Kilifi Counties, Republic of Kenya.

Client: local water vendors.

Project type: AICS - the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

Water treatment plants: reverse osmosis system; sand-GAC (Granular activated Carbon) filtration unit.

Raw water source: borehole/well water.

Treated water quality: drinking water.

Capacity: the two plants produce 1 m3/h (reverse osmosis system) and 2.0 m3/h (Sand-GAC) of potable water respectively.