Mobile Technology Enabling Water Connections In Nairobi Slum

 
 A public borehole that was the only water source for 100,000 people in Nairobi’s Kayole slum is deserted now and residents are using mobile devices to get clean water piped to their homes, according to a Science&TechnologyNews video. Thousands of people get clean water delivered to their homes thanks to technology rolled out five years ago by World Bank and the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company that lets residents pay their water bills by mobile phone. The technology is
the first of its kind in East Africa, according to the report. More confident it will be able to collect money, the water company is working to connect piped water to every household in the Kayole slum. E-payments save time for customers who avoid standing in long lines using their mobile phones to pay their bills. Historically the water company lost money in slum areas where consumers didn’t pay their bills and water was connected illegally, according to the report. “People were getting water for free,” said Vicky Kimaiyo, who is in charge of the project in Kayole for the Nairobi City Water and Sewage Company. “But right now they get metered and they pay for the water. So of course for the utility that’s a plus, and for us who work in such informal settlements we are happy about it.” With more people applying for water connections and increased demand for clean water, the water company is facing a new challenge — how to provide all the water that is needed. For now, water is rationed by zones. Customers in each zone get just a few hours to fill their containers.