Driving Change: The Naivasha Treatment Plant Expansion
19 Nov 2024
Sanivation continues to be a trailblazer in enhancing sanitation infrastructure, playing a crucial role in helping utilities meet their mandates and complete the waste management puzzle. A shining example of our commitment is the expansion of the Naivasha Treatment Plant (NTP), a project that Sanivation supports in partnership with Nakuru County and the Naivasha Water and Sanitation Company (NAIVAWASCO). This project highlights our joint dedication to advancing sanitation solutions and demonstrates the significant impact of strong partnerships and strategic planning.
Expanding Sanitation Solutions for Naivasha: A Transformative Impact
The development and operation of the Naivasha Treatment Plant (NTP) has had a substantial positive impact on the local community and infrastructure, particularly in addressing sanitation needs in informal settlements. Mr. Paul Mwaura, the Superintendent at NAIVAWASCO, highlighted the significant improvements resulting from the collaboration with Sanivation. He noted, "With Sanivation coming in, they are assisting in reducing faecal sludge. We have a wastewater treatment plant, which we use to treat the faecal sludge, and Sanivation assists in its treatment. Since waste treatment has significantly improved, we also see a reduction in sanitation-related diseases, especially in Naivasha’s informal settlements." Sanivation's involvement in treating faecal sludge has complemented the existing wastewater treatment plant, leading to a marked reduction in sanitation-related diseases in Naivasha's informal settlements.
The collaboration between Sanivation and NAIVAWASCO has also led to innovations in waste-to-value initiatives. Mr. Mwaura explained, "Before Sanivation came, the main thing we used to do was drying sludge and selling it as manure to farmers. Now, Sanivation ensures waste-to-value by making briquettes used as a source of energy in industries." This highlights the technological advancements made and emphasizes the economic and environmental benefits stemming from the NTPx.
Why Expand The Naivasha Treatment Plant?
NTP has been a critical proof of concept for how waste to value could be utilized to revamp the region’s waste management system. While it currently serves 15,000 people, the goal is to expand its operations to serve the growing population of Naivasha, over 360,000 people currently. According to the National Council for Population and Development, Kenya’s population is projected to reach 57.8 million by 2030. The demand for efficient sanitation services is therefore more pressing than ever.
While the demand for sanitation services has increased, it became evident that Naivasha’s sanitation facilities needed to expand to meet future needs. In response, the NTP Expansion (NTPx) commenced. This ambitious project aims to significantly enhance the plant's capacity, efficiency, and sustainability. It also reflects Sanivation’s commitment to addressing the sanitation crisis, which affects approximately 60% of Africa's urban population living in informal settlements with inadequate sanitation facilities. In Africa, over 90% of waste is not treated before being dumped into the environment, hurting Kenya’s public health and environmental conditions.
The benefits of the NTPx project extend far beyond immediate improvements. By expanding and modernizing the treatment plant, we are investing in Naivasha’s future, addressing broader regional needs and contributing to meaningful economic opportunities for the area. Mr. Ken Mungai, the Chief Officer for Environment, Energy and Climate Change in Nakuru County, recently reflected on the project’s economic impact, saying:
“The project, as it is now—even before completing the expansion—has generated both direct and indirect employment. Every time I visit the plants, I find a significant number of people engaged across the Sanivation site and offices. There’s also an economic ripple effect with many others involved in the sale of briquettes from the production line.”
Mr. Mungai further emphasized the strength of the partnership with Sanivation:
“Instrumental, modest, and reliable—our relationship with Sanivation is one we intend to maintain for upcoming projects. Their presence has been crucial to the amount of waste recovery we’re achieving.”
Progress - The Power of Partnerships
The NTPx project has reached significant technical milestones, despite some delays. Completing the final designs and preparing tender documents are major achievements that signal robust development despite initial setbacks. This progress underscores our commitment to achieving excellence in sanitation infrastructure.
Our approach includes incorporating state-of-the-art technologies and practices to ensure the expanded plant will operate efficiently and sustainably.
Our success hinges on strong partnerships, ensuring we navigate challenges and achieve project milestones together. Collaborative efforts with local utilities, community leaders, and funders have been essential in overcoming challenges and maintaining project momentum.
The NTPx exemplifies the critical role of public-private partnerships in the WASH sector. Since 2017, our dedicated directorate has been working to develop and implement this strategy, marking a pioneering effort in sanitation. With Africa's sanitation sector facing an estimated $12 billion annual funding gap, partnerships with public and private sectors are essential for bridging this divide and advancing infrastructure projects.
Through a partnership agreement, Sanivation is in the process of raising $6 million in project development and capital costs while leading the design, build, and operation of the NTPx - the county provides the land and legal mandate for waste management. After 13 years of Sanivation’s operating the plant, the county will receive full ownership of the plant assets.
Our partnerships are paving the way for a legacy of sustainable sanitation solutions that will benefit the community for generations. We greatly appreciate the support from our funders, whose flexibility has been crucial. Their commitment has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of this project, and their continued backing is essential for bringing the NTPx vision to fruition. This collaborative approach has enabled us to address complex challenges effectively and drive meaningful change.
The project highlights the effectiveness of partnerships with public and private sectors in driving sustainable sanitation solutions. We aim to leverage this experience to scale beyond Naivasha, showcasing how collaborative efforts can address sanitation challenges on a larger scale.
Partner with Us on Your Project
As we advance the NTPx project, we emphasize the need for more partnerships with public and private sectors in the WASH sector. These strategic collaborations are crucial for tackling the complex challenges of waste management and creating lasting impacts. We encourage stakeholders and potential partners to join us in this mission, working together to improve public health and environmental sustainability.
Together, we can build on the momentum of projects like NTPx and drive transformative change in sanitation infrastructure. Let’s continue to collaborate, innovate, and achieve excellence in enhancing sanitation for all.
Have questions? Contact us on info@sanivation.com for more information.
References
1. National Council for Population and Development, Kenya (2021). Population Projections for 2030. (Link)
2. WHO/UNICEF (2021). Progress on Household Drinking Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene 2000-2020: Five Years into the SDGs. (Link)
3. UN-Habitat (2020). Waste Management in African Cities. (Link)
4. WHO (2019). Sanitation and Health Report. (Link)
5. UNICEF (2020). Global WASH Statistics. (Link)
6. World Bank (2020). Financing the Sanitation Sector in Africa. (Link)