Eldoret Residents decry safety of Eldowas Water;Suspected Cholera cases feared
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By Faith Chebichii
A section of Eldoret residents have expressed their fears over the safety of water supplied by The Eldoret water and sanitation company (Eldowas).
The residents drawn from Langas and Kipkaren estates say, there could be a possibility of contaminated water leading to suspected cases of cholera.
According to Abraham Tarus, leaking water pipes especially in the densely populated estates such as Langas ward are suspected to contribute to water borne diseases .
“Most of the water pipes are old and outdated. We suspect the leakages could be leading to contamination from the sewer lines and blocked drainage systems”Said Tarus.
One resident experienced diarrhea and vomiting, however, while undergoing treatment at Rural district hospital, she passed on,Langas residents have been mostly affected. We urge Public health officers to visit the said areas and determine the possible causes of the water borne diseases. He added.
Tarus called upon Kipkenyo ward MCA David Letting alias( Kokwas) and his Langas ward counterpart Francis Muya to further look into the issue and perhaps engage the water company to assess the safety of the water supplied to the residents,
“We have had frequent water rationing from Eldowas, sometimes their water has some foul smell and a brownish color, and we can no longer tell how safe their water is? Paused another resident.
However the Eldowas managing director Peter Biwott noted that during the dry spell water levels dropped, Consequently causing a tight water rationing that resulted in residents seeking alternative sources of water.
“Due to the low water levels we had to enforce tight water rationing,this may have resulted in residents getting their water from alternative sources which we have no control over. That may be the cause of cholera”He opined
Eldowas water is well treated and the most safe in the republic and beyond, therefore cannot be attributed to the cause of Cholera but the alternative sources. Meanwhile the department of Health should enhance its current program to educate citizens on maintaining high levels of hygiene. He added.
Eldowas water company is soon expected to regulate all the water vendors and will issue public health certification to all water suppliers among other requirements.
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