ADVERT 
Reliable water supply systems are essential for public health, economic growth, and community development. Well-designed infrastructure ensures consistent access to clean water for households, institutions, and industries.
At SIBOWASCO, water supply projects are executed using proven engineering practices that prioritize durability, efficiency, and long-term performance. From source development to distribution networks, every stage is carefully planned and constructed.
Transmission and distribution pipelines form the backbone of any water supply system. Without properly constructed pipelines, even the most advanced treatment facilities cannot deliver water effectively to end users.
An engineering audit of the Asembo–Ndori scheme identified critical design and construction flaws on the rising main from Kamito to Nyayiera that compromised service delivery and increased operational costs.
Key Technical Findings:
1. Pressure Rating Mismatch: The rising main operates under a static head of 177 meters. This translates to 17.7 bars of static pressure, excluding surge. The installed PPR pipes were rated PN 12 and PN 16, suitable for 12 and 16 bars respectively. Industry best practice for this head requires PN 20 or PN 25 pipes to provide an adequate safety margin for working pressure and water hammer. The underspecification caused frequent pipe bursts, high Non-Revenue Water, and prolonged outages.
2. Hydraulic Appurtenances Omitted: The original 8.2 km rising main was constructed without any air valves. Air accumulation at high points created air locks, reduced flow efficiency, and induced surge pressures that accelerated pipe fatigue and failure.
3. Undersized Diameter: Hydraulic modeling confirmed the installed diameter was insufficient for the required flow, causing excessive head loss, pump strain, and inability to meet demand in Ndori, Kandaria, and surrounding zones.
Pipeline construction involves careful route planning, material selection, and installation techniques to ensure efficiency and durability. Poor workmanship or substandard materials often result in leaks, pressure losses, and high maintenance costs over time.
Quality and safety are fundamental principles in water infrastructure construction. High construction standards ensure that systems perform reliably over their intended lifespan while protecting users and workers.
To permanently resolve the bursts and restore reliability, SIBOWASCO has commenced re-engineering of the critical section of the rising main. Works include:
1. Pipe Upgrade: Replacement of the deficient PN 12/16 PPR sections with PN 25 epoxy coated GI pipes sized to meet current demand. GI pipe provides superior resistance to surge and better joint integrity for high-pressure applications.
2. Air Management: Installation of three double-orifice air valves at surveyed high points along the Kamito–Nyayiera stretch. This will prevent air accumulation, mitigate water hammer, and protect the new pipeline.
3. Hydraulic Correction: Laying of correctly sized pipe to reduce friction losses, lower pumping costs, and ensure adequate residual pressure reaches Ndori, Ajigo and Akala.
Safety measures on construction sites reduce accidents and improve productivity. Proper training, supervision, and compliance with safety regulations are critical for successful project delivery. All works are under full-time supervision by SIBOWASCO Technical department.
To facilitate the replacement works, SIBOWASCO has issued the following public notice:
PUBLIC NOTICE: WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTIONS IN ASEMBO–NDORI
We kindly notify our esteemed customers in Kamito, Nyilima, Kalandin, Oyude, Ndori, Kandaria, Ndara Okago, Maleke, Ajigo, Rambugu, Lwak, Majiwa, Oluti, Barchando of water supply interruptions as we undertake replacement of a section of our main water supply line.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your cooperation as we work to complete the project within one week.
Customers are advised to store sufficient water. Tankers will serve critical institutions during the shutdown.
Well-designed pipeline networks reduce water losses and improve system reliability, allowing water authorities to serve larger populations more efficiently. Attention to construction quality directly impacts the lifespan and performance of the system.
This intervention will:
1. Eliminate bursts caused by pressure rating mismatch, cutting emergency repair costs by over 80%.
2. Reduce NRW on the rising main from an estimated 45% to below 15% on the replaced section.
3. Improve supply hours to Ndori, Gobei, and Ajigo from the current 2 days/week to a target of 5 days/week upon completion.
4. Extend asset life to 50+ years, in line with design standards for PN 25 HDPE.
Quality control at every stage of construction helps prevent defects and costly failures. Thorough inspection and testing ensure that completed works meet design specifications.
Sustainable water infrastructure plays a critical role in supporting growing populations while protecting natural water resources for future generations. A strong commitment to quality and safety results in dependable infrastructure that serves communities effectively for decades.
SIBOWASCO remains committed to applying sound engineering to correct inherited defects and build resilient systems. We thank Asembo–Ndori residents for their patience as we deliver a permanent solution.
