Project Name: Water Resource Management and Sanitation (WRMS) Project

Implementing Organization: African Centre for Environment, Energy & Climate Advocacy (ACEECA)

Location: Kenya (Focus on water-scarce ASALs, urban informal settlements & flood-prone areas)

Duration: 5 Years (Phase 1)

Target Beneficiaries: Rural communities, urban poor, schools, healthcare facilities, and smallholder farmers

1. Project Background

Kenya faces a worsening water crisis, with 40% of the population lacking safe drinking water and 70% without proper sanitation (WHO/UNICEF 2023). Climate change exacerbates this through erratic rainfall, droughts, and floods. The Water Resource Management and Sanitation (WRMS) project adopts an integrated approach to ensure water security, improve sanitation, and build community resilience.

Alignment:

• Kenya’s Water Act 2016 & Vision 2030 Water and Sanitation Pillar
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
• African Water Vision 2025

2. Project Objectives

1. Enhance Water Access – Provide sustainable water solutions to 200,000+ people.
2. Improve Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) – Reduce waterborne diseases by 50% in target areas.
3. Strengthen Water Governance – Empower communities to manage water resources.
4. Promote Climate-Resilient Systems – Implement flood/drought mitigation measures.
5. Foster Innovation – Pilot low-cost water tech and circular economy solutions.

3. Key Interventions

A. Water Supply & Infrastructure

• Borehole Rehabilitation: Repair 100+ non-functional boreholes with solar-powered pumps.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Encourage Installation of rooftop systems in schools and clinics.

B. Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

• Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS): Eradicate open defecation in 50 villages.
• School WASH Programs: Advocate for building gender-sensitive latrines and menstrual hygiene stations.
• Household Water Filters: Distribute 10,000+ low-cost filters to combat cholera.

C. Water Resource Management

• Water User Associations (WUAs): Train 100+ groups in conflict resolution and pricing.
• Aquifer Recharge: Restore 5 critical watersheds through check dams and afforestation.
• Greywater Recycling: Pilot urban systems for irrigation and toilet flushing.

D. Climate Adaptation

• Flood Early Warning Systems: Sensor-based alerts for riverine communities.
• Drought-Resistant Crops: Promote cassava, sorghum, and drip irrigation.
• Disaster-Resilient Toilets: Elevated designs for flood-prone areas.

E. Innovation & Advocacy

• Water ATMs: Pay-as-you-fetch kiosks managed by women’s groups.
• Plastic Waste-to-Drainage: Repurpose PET bottles for urban stormwater control.
• County Water Charters: Lobby for pro-poor water policies.

4. Expected Outcomes

• 200,000+ people with improved water access
• 60% reduction in waterborne diseases in target zones
• 100% ODF (Open Defecation Free) status in 50 villages
• 30% increase in water productivity for smallholder farmers
• 5 counties adopting integrated water management plans
• 500+ jobs created in water maintenance and sanitation enterprises