Publication: The Silent drain: tackling high non-revenue water in community-managed rural water supply systems
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Strathmore University Press
Abstract
Community-managed rural water supply systems play a critical role in extending water access to communities with limited access to water services in Kenya. However, many such systems are undermined by persistently high levels of non-revenue water (NRW) - water that is produced but not billed or paid for – which erodes financial sustainability, constrains maintenance, andweakens service reliability.
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About the Authors
This policy brief was prepared by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners working under the EcoRural Project in Kenya and Ghana.
Dr Irene Ngunjiri is Director of the Strathmore University Water Governance and Innovation Hub. Her research focuses on water governance, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) financing, climate change, sustainability, and governance in urban informal settlements.
Dr Sarah Muigai is a Lecturer in Strategy and Entrepreneurship at Strathmore University Business School. Her research interests include strategic management, entrepreneurship, water governance, inclusive business models, and sustainable development.
Dr Akosua Boakye-Ansah is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Water Services Governance at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. Her research focuses on water and sanitation governance in urban low-income settlements and rural communities.
Dr Damaris Ochanda is a public health specialist and researcher at Africa Water Watch Limited and a Senior Lecturer at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Her expertise centres on WASH, water quality management, and implementation research.
Mr Onyango William Mboya is Managing Director and Senior Water Management Consultant at Africa Water Watch Limited. His expertise includes non-revenue water management, water supply systems, institutional strengthening, and integrated water resources management.
Dr Elizabeth Gachenga is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) at Strathmore University and a Senior Lecturer at Strathmore Law School. Her research focuses on environmental law and governance, water resources management, and gender and climate change.
Ms Purity Kerubo is a WASH communications specialist whose work focuses on translating technical research into accessible knowledge that supports evidence-informed decision-making and behaviour change.
Ms Scholastica A. Marenya is a social development practitioner and Gender and Institutional Strengthening Advisor at Africa Water Watch Limited. Her work focuses on gender mainstreaming, policy advocacy, social inclusion, and participatory development.
Dr Ing Antoinette Ama Agboado is a Regional Director with the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Ghana. Her work focuses on improving community water and sanitation services through institutional strengthening and sector coordination.
Mr Kwaku Kwarteng is an environmental analyst, WASH specialist, and data management expert based in Ghana. His expertise includes environmental assessment, monitoring and evaluation, and data-driven water and sanitation systems.
Mr Asare Boakye Ansah is a Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kumasi Technical University, Ghana. His interests include engineering solutions for sustainable water systems and community infrastructure.
Ms Winnie Omamo is a project coordinator and events manager with experience in coordinating multi-partner development initiatives. Her work supports collaboration and knowledge exchange on sustainable water and development programmes.
Dr Elijah Frimpong Boadu is Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at Kumasi Technical University, Ghana, and a Senior Lecturer specialising in construction project management and risk management.
Prof. Abena Agyeiwaa Obiri-Yeboah is Pro Vice-Chancellor at Kumasi Technical University, Ghana, with expertise in STEM and TVET education, engineering education, and sustainable rural water systems.
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Citation
Ngunjiri, I., Muigai, S., Boakye-Ansah, A., Ochanda, D., Mboya, O. W., Gachenga, E., Kerubo, P., Marenya, S. A., Agboado, A. A., Kwarteng, K., Ansah, A. B., Omamo, W., Boadu, E. F., & Obiri-Yeboah, A. A. (2026). The Silent drain: Tackling high non-revenue water in community-managed rural water supply systems. Strathmore University Press. https://hdl.handle.net/11071/16747