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Abstract:
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Domestic water consumption has formed about 50 % of the total water supply in Nairobi for the last 10 years. Nairobi City Commission (NCC), which is responsible for the water supply in the city, has rightly classified domestic demandrates as following the income groups which also correspond to different housing types. This study examines the per capita water consumption and variation in domestic water usage in Nairobi West, Madaraka and Kahawa West housing estates. A total of 2600 meters which is 3 % of all water connections in Nairobi was read. A questionnaire survey was conducted for the purposes of population estimate for each area. Master meters were located at the entry to each study are awhich had been isolated from the neignbouring distribution networks. Domestic water consumption figures from the billing records of the NCC were also examined. The results from this study showed that the trend in percapita water consumption is consistent with the classification chosen. The medium income per capita figure of 115 l/cap/day favourably with 136 l/cap/day from the design file and 115 l/cap/day from other studies of similar areas. The chosen high income area was conclusively not representative with 120 l/cap/day compared with 270 l/cap/day used in designin similar areas. The peak factors also showed the expected trend according the location classification. Although these figures obtained from this study are not adequate for design or prognosis, they are nevertheless useful in conjunction with other results which could be investigated for other similar areas. /Kir09 |