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Climate

Water Conservation Tips for Kenyan Households

12 min read
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Easy Access Staff

Introduction

Water is becoming scarcer in Kenya. Climate change, population growth, and poor infrastructure mean many households face water shortages and rising bills. Whether you’re in Nairobi dealing with rationing, in rural areas walking long distances for water, or anywhere facing high water costs, conservation matters.

This guide provides practical tips for saving water at home, harvesting rainwater, reducing bills, and ensuring your household has enough water even during shortages.

Why Water Conservation Matters in Kenya

The Water Crisis

National Challenges:

  • Only 58% of Kenyans have access to safe water
  • Frequent rationing in major cities
  • Rural areas often lack reliable sources
  • Water quality concerns
  • Aging infrastructure
  • Climate change reducing available water

Regional Variations:

  • Nairobi: Regular rationing schedules
  • Coast: Saltwater intrusion, limited fresh water
  • Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs): Chronic water scarcity
  • Some areas: Seasonal availability only

Personal Benefits of Conservation

Lower Bills:

  • Water expensive in many areas
  • Private water vendors charge high rates
  • Conservation reduces costs significantly

Reliability:

  • Your stored water lasts longer during shortages
  • Less dependent on erratic supply
  • Peace of mind

Environmental Responsibility:

  • Protect water sources for future
  • Reduce energy used for water pumping and treatment
  • Preserve ecosystems
African family managing household water

Understanding Your Water Use

Average Household Consumption

Typical Kenyan Household (varies widely):

  • Urban household with piped water: 50-150 liters per person per day
  • Rural household: 20-50 liters per person per day
  • WHO minimum: 50 liters per person per day for basic needs

Where Water Goes:

  • Toilets: 20-30%
  • Bathing/Showering: 25-35%
  • Laundry: 15-20%
  • Cooking and drinking: 5-10%
  • Cleaning and dishes: 10-15%
  • Garden/outdoor: 10-20% (if applicable)
  • Leaks: Can be 10-20% if not addressed

Check Your Usage

If You Have a Meter:

  • Read meter at same time each day for a week
  • Calculate daily usage
  • Identify high-use days
  • Track after implementing conservation measures

Signs of High Usage or Leaks:

  • Bill much higher than usual
  • Meter running when no water being used
  • Wet spots in yard
  • Damp walls or floors
  • Running toilet sounds
  • Dripping taps
African person conserving water at home

Indoor Water Conservation

Bathroom (Biggest Water User)

Toilets

The Problem:

  • Old toilets use 10-15 liters per flush
  • Newer ones: 6 liters
  • Dual flush: 3-6 liters depending on need

Conservation Tips:

1. Install Dual-Flush System:

  • Cost: KES 5,000-15,000
  • Half-flush for liquid waste
  • Full flush for solid waste
  • Saves 30-50% water
  • Available at hardware stores

2. Place Bottle in Tank (if not dual-flush):

  • Fill 1-2 liter bottle with water or sand
  • Place in toilet tank (away from mechanism)
  • Displaces water, reduces flush volume
  • Free and immediate savings

3. Fix Leaks:

  • Running toilet wastes 200+ liters per day
  • Test: Add food coloring to tank, wait 15 minutes, check if color in bowl
  • Usually flapper valve issue
  • Replacement cost: KES 200-800

4. Don’t Use Toilet as Trash:

  • Every flush uses water
  • Trash bin for tissues, sanitary products, etc.

Showers and Baths

The Problem:

  • Shower: 10-20 liters per minute
  • Bath: 80-150 liters

Conservation Tips:

1. Shorter Showers:

  • Reduce by even 2 minutes saves 20-40 liters
  • Set timer or play song (most songs 3-4 minutes)
  • Turn off water while soaping

2. Low-Flow Showerhead:

  • Reduces flow from 15+ liters/minute to 9-10 liters/minute
  • Cost: KES 1,500-4,000
  • Easy to install yourself
  • Barely notice difference in comfort

3. Bucket Shower:

  • Fill bucket with water
  • Use scoop to pour over yourself
  • Traditional method, very efficient
  • Uses 10-20 liters total
  • Common in many Kenyan homes already

4. Collect Cold Water:

  • While waiting for shower to warm up
  • Use for plants or toilet flush
  • Can save 5-10 liters each time

5. Bath Less Often (or Never):

  • Showers use less water
  • Save baths for special occasions

Taps and Sinks

The Problem:

  • Dripping tap wastes 20-30 liters per day
  • Running tap while brushing teeth: 6 liters per minute

Conservation Tips:

1. Turn Off While Brushing/Shaving:

  • Wet brush, turn off tap, brush, rinse
  • Same for shaving
  • Saves 10-15 liters each time

2. Fix Leaky Taps Immediately:

  • Usually washer needs replacement
  • DIY cost: KES 20-100 for washer
  • Or hire plumber: KES 500-1,000
  • Saves hundreds of liters monthly

3. Aerators on Taps:

  • Adds air to water stream
  • Feels like more water, uses less
  • Cost: KES 200-500 per tap
  • Easy to screw on

4. Use Basin for Washing:

  • Don’t leave tap running
  • Fill basin for washing hands/face
  • Much more efficient

Kitchen

The Problem:

  • Washing dishes under running tap very wasteful
  • Water running while preparing food

Conservation Tips:

1. Dish Washing:

  • Fill basin with soapy water
  • Wash all dishes
  • Rinse in second basin (or efficiently under tap)
  • Saves 50-80% water compared to running tap
  • Or use dishwasher if you have one (surprisingly efficient)

2. Soaking:

  • Soak pots and pans before washing
  • Easier cleaning, less water scrubbing

3. Scrape, Don’t Rinse:

  • Scrape food into bin before washing
  • Don’t rinse under running water first

4. Keep Drinking Water in Fridge:

  • Instead of running tap until cold
  • Fill jug and refrigerate

5. Cooking Water:

  • Use minimum needed
  • Re-use for other cooking (e.g., pasta water for sauce)
  • Cool and use on plants

6. Full Dishwasher Loads:

  • Only run when full
  • Modern dishwashers use less water than hand washing

Laundry

The Problem:

  • Washing machine: 50-100+ liters per load (depending on type)
  • Hand washing can also be wasteful if not careful

Conservation Tips:

1. Full Loads Only:

  • Wait until machine is full
  • Don’t do small loads
  • Saves water and electricity

2. Appropriate Water Level:

  • Adjust water level to load size
  • Many machines have settings

3. Front-Load vs Top-Load:

  • Front-loaders use 50-70% less water
  • If buying new, choose front-load

4. Re-Use Water:

  • If hand washing, rinse water can flush toilet or water garden
  • Grey water system for laundry water to garden (requires setup)

5. Wear Clothes More Than Once (When Appropriate):

  • Not everything needs washing after one wear
  • Pants, sweaters can be worn multiple times
  • Saves water and preserves clothes

Outdoor Water Conservation

Garden and Lawn

The Problem:

  • Lawns and gardens can use huge amounts
  • Often over-watered
  • Evaporation during hot hours wastes water

Conservation Tips:

1. Water Early Morning or Evening:

  • Less evaporation
  • Cooler times
  • Wind usually less

2. Mulch Around Plants:

  • Reduces evaporation from soil
  • Keeps moisture in
  • Use grass clippings, leaves, bark
  • 5-10 cm thick

3. Drip Irrigation or Soaker Hoses:

  • More efficient than sprinklers
  • Water goes to roots, not air
  • Cost: KES 1,000-5,000 depending on garden size
  • DIY with plastic bottles (poke holes, bury near plants)

4. Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants:

  • Indigenous Kenyan plants adapted to local rainfall
  • Succulents, bougainvillea, aloe
  • Reduce or eliminate watering need

5. Reduce Lawn Area:

  • Lawns need lots of water
  • Replace with drought-tolerant ground cover
  • Or gravel/paving in some areas
  • Kitchen gardens use water more productively

6. Collect and Use Grey Water:

  • Dish washing water (without harsh chemicals)
  • Shower water
  • Laundry rinse water
  • Don’t use on vegetables you eat raw
  • Fine for trees, lawns, ornamental plants

7. Let Grass Grow Longer:

  • Longer grass shades soil
  • Reduces evaporation
  • Needs less frequent watering

Car Washing

The Problem:

  • Washing with running hose: 300+ liters
  • Many people wash cars frequently

Conservation Tips:

1. Use Bucket and Sponge:

  • Fill bucket (10-20 liters)
  • Wash car
  • Use hose only for quick final rinse
  • Or skip hose entirely
  • Uses 80% less water

2. Wash Less Often:

  • Cars don’t need weekly washing
  • Every 2-4 weeks sufficient
  • Spot-clean in between

3. Commercial Car Wash:

  • Many use water recycling systems
  • More efficient than home washing
  • Cost: KES 300-800

4. Waterless Car Wash Products:

  • Special sprays and wipes
  • No water needed
  • Cost: KES 800-1,500 per product
  • Good for light cleaning

Rainwater Harvesting

Why Harvest Rain?

Benefits:

  • Free water
  • Reduces dependence on municipal supply or vendors
  • Available when piped water is off
  • Good for plants (no chlorine)
  • Reduces flooding around house
  • Emergency supply

Kenya’s Rain:

  • Most areas get rain (though seasonal and erratic)
  • Even arid areas get some rain
  • Can collect significant amounts in rainy seasons

Simple Rainwater Harvesting

Basic System:

Components:

  1. Catchment surface (roof)
  2. Gutters
  3. Downpipes
  4. Storage tank
  5. First flush system (optional but recommended)

Costs:

  • Gutters and downpipes: KES 3,000-10,000 (depending on house size)
  • Storage tank (1,000-10,000 liters): KES 8,000-50,000
  • Installation: KES 5,000-15,000
  • Total: KES 16,000-75,000 for basic system

How Much Water Can You Collect?

Formula: Roof area (m²) × Rainfall (mm) × 0.8 (efficiency) = Liters

Example:

  • 100 m² roof
  • 50mm rainfall in a month
  • 100 × 50 × 0.8 = 4,000 liters from that one rain!

Annual Potential:

  • Nairobi averages about 800mm rain per year
  • 100 m² roof: 64,000 liters potential annually
  • Even if capture half: 32,000 liters

Setting Up Rainwater Harvesting

Step 1: Assess Your Roof:

  • Iron sheets: Best (clean and smooth)
  • Tiles: Good
  • Asbestos: Possible but avoid drinking this water
  • Thatch: Difficult
  • Size of roof determines potential

Step 2: Install Gutters:

  • Along roof edges
  • Proper slope toward downpipe
  • Materials: PVC (cheap, KES 400-800 per meter) or metal
  • Available at hardware stores (Tile & Carpet Centre, Chandarana, local hardware)

Step 3: Downpipes:

  • Connect gutters to tank
  • PVC pipes: KES 300-600 per 3-meter length

Step 4: First Flush System (Recommended):

  • Diverts first dirty water (bird droppings, dust)
  • Simple DIY: T-joint with valve
  • First rain washes roof, you discard, then collect clean water
  • Or buy first flush device: KES 2,000-4,000

Step 5: Storage Tank:

  • Placed near downpipe
  • On raised platform (helps with pressure) or ground level
  • Covered to prevent mosquitoes and algae
  • Common sizes: 1,000L (KES 8,000-12,000), 5,000L (KES 25,000-35,000), 10,000L (KES 45,000-60,000)
  • Brands: JojoTanks, Kentainers, Jumbo, Amiran

Step 6: Tap or Pump:

  • Low tap on tank for easy access
  • Or pump for higher pressure
  • Filter if using for drinking

DIY vs Professional:

  • Simple gutters and tank: DIY possible
  • Complex systems: Hire technician (KES 10,000-30,000 depending on scale)

Maintaining Rainwater System

Regular:

  • Clean gutters (remove leaves, debris)
  • Check for leaks
  • Inspect tank for cracks
  • Ensure first flush working

Before Rains:

  • Clean roof and gutters
  • Check all connections
  • Empty tank if water is stale

After Long Dry Period:

  • First rain might be very dirty
  • Let it wash away, then start collecting

Using Harvested Rainwater

Non-Potable Uses (safest, no treatment needed):

  • Toilet flushing
  • Laundry
  • Cleaning floors
  • Watering garden
  • Car washing
  • Construction

Potable Use (drinking, cooking - needs treatment):

Treatment Methods:

1. Boiling:

  • Simplest and most reliable
  • Boil for 5-10 minutes
  • Let cool

2. Filtration:

  • Ceramic filters: KES 3,000-8,000
  • Sand filters (DIY or commercial)
  • Activated carbon

3. Chlorination:

  • Water Guard or similar: KES 100 per bottle (treats 1,000 liters)
  • Follow instructions carefully

4. UV Treatment:

  • UV sterilizers available
  • More expensive: KES 15,000-40,000
  • Electricity needed

Note: Rainwater generally safe for non-drinking uses with basic filtration. For drinking, combine methods (filter + boil) for best safety.

Government Support

Some Counties Offer:

  • Subsidized tanks in some programs
  • Free technical advice
  • Check with county water and environment offices

National Programs:

  • Ministry of Water campaigns (varies)
  • World Water Day promotions (March)

Leak Detection and Fixing

Finding Leaks

Check Your Meter:

  • Turn off all water in house
  • Check meter
  • Wait 1-2 hours without using water
  • Check meter again
  • If it moved, you have a leak

Common Leak Spots:

  • Toilet (most common)
  • Under sinks
  • Outdoor taps
  • Underground pipes (wet spots in yard)
  • Water heater

Professional Leak Detection:

  • If can’t find leak but meter shows usage
  • Plumbers have specialized equipment
  • Cost: KES 2,000-5,000 for detection

DIY Repairs

Dripping Tap:

  • Usually worn washer
  • Turn off water supply
  • Open tap
  • Replace washer: KES 20-100
  • Many YouTube tutorials
  • Or call plumber: KES 500-1,000

Running Toilet:

  • Flapper valve issue often
  • Toilet repair kits: KES 500-1,500
  • Or plumber: KES 1,000-2,000

Pipe Leaks:

  • Temporary: Rubber patch and clamp (KES 100-300)
  • Permanent: Replace section of pipe
  • If underground or major, call plumber

Grey Water Systems

What is Grey Water?

Definition:

  • Wastewater from showers, sinks, laundry (not toilets)
  • Contains soap and dirt but not sewage
  • Can be re-used for some purposes
  • Reduces fresh water demand by 40-50%

Simple Grey Water Reuse

No Plumbing Changes Needed:

Bucket Method:

  • Place bucket in shower to collect water
  • Use for toilet flush or garden
  • Simple and free

Divert Washing Machine:

  • Extend drain hose to garden
  • Water trees or lawn while machine drains
  • Use plant-friendly detergent

Constructed Grey Water System

More Complex:

Components:

  • Collection pipes from bathroom/laundry
  • Filter to remove large particles
  • Storage tank (optional)
  • Distribution to garden

Cost: KES 30,000-100,000 depending on size and complexity

Considerations:

  • Use biodegradable soaps
  • Avoid harsh chemicals
  • Don’t use on vegetables eaten raw
  • Rotate garden areas
  • May need county approval

Who Installs:

  • Specialized plumbers
  • Environmental engineers
  • Some companies focus on grey water systems

Safety with Grey Water

Do’s:

  • Use on ornamental plants, trees, lawn
  • Use plant-friendly products
  • Filter out solids
  • Use soon after collection (bacteria grow)

Don’ts:

  • Don’t use on vegetables eaten raw (salad)
  • Don’t store long periods without treatment
  • Don’t use if someone sick (pathogens)
  • Don’t use kitchen water with lots of grease
  • Don’t allow puddling (mosquito breeding)

Water Storage Tips

Storing Municipal/Piped Water

Why Store:

  • Rationing schedules
  • Unexpected outages
  • Emergency preparedness

How Much to Store:

  • Minimum: 50 liters per person for 3 days = 150 liters/person
  • Comfortable: 1 week supply = 350 liters/person
  • For family of 4: 600-1,400 liters ideal

Storage Containers:

  • Food-grade plastic tanks
  • Covered to prevent contamination
  • Dark or opaque (prevents algae)
  • Raised platform (easier to access)

Keeping Water Fresh:

  • Rotate regularly (use and refill)
  • Clean tank every 6 months
  • Add small amount of chlorine if storing long term
  • Keep covered

Emergency Water Supply

During Crisis (drought, infrastructure failure):

  • Have water stored always
  • Know alternative sources (neighbors, public taps, vendors)
  • Boil or treat all uncertain water
  • Prioritize drinking water

Teaching Children to Conserve

Simple Habits

  • Turn off tap while brushing
  • Short showers
  • Tell adults about leaks
  • Don’t play with water unnecessarily
  • Help with rainwater collection

Make It Fun

  • Charts and stickers for conservation
  • Measure shower time
  • Compete for shortest shower (while still clean!)
  • Involve in checking meter and calculating savings

Education

  • Explain water scarcity
  • Visit water sources if possible
  • School projects on conservation
  • Understand where water comes from and where it goes

Monitoring Your Progress

Track Usage

  • Weekly meter readings
  • Before and after conservation measures
  • Calculate savings

Calculate Savings

Example:

  • Before: 50,000 liters/month
  • After: 35,000 liters/month
  • Savings: 15,000 liters (30%)
  • If rate is KES 50 per 1,000 liters: KES 750 saved monthly

Set Goals

  • Reduce usage by 20% in 3 months
  • Harvest 10,000 liters rainwater this year
  • Fix all leaks within 1 month
  • Install low-flow showerhead this month

Conclusion

Water conservation in Kenya isn’t optional - it’s essential. With growing scarcity, rising costs, and unreliable supply, every household must use water wisely. The good news is that conservation is achievable with simple changes: fixing leaks, shorter showers, efficient dish washing, and smart outdoor watering.

Rainwater harvesting provides free water and independence from erratic municipal supply. Even a basic system costing KES 20,000-50,000 can provide tens of thousands of liters annually. Combined with conservation measures, harvested rainwater can meet most household needs during rainy seasons and provide crucial backup during dry periods.

Start with easy wins: fix leaks, reduce shower time, turn off taps. Then invest in improvements: low-flow fixtures, rainwater system, efficient appliances. Track your usage and savings to stay motivated. Teach your family, especially children, to value and conserve water.

Water is life, and in Kenya, it’s increasingly precious. By conserving today, we ensure availability tomorrow - for ourselves, our communities, and future generations.