NWSC’s Mugisha Reassures Kampala on Improved Water Supply after Katosi Treatment Plant Roll-out

When the water treatment plant in Katosi, Mukono district is complete, Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso will see an improved water supply, according to National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Managing Director Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha.

“We are happy with the progress made so far by the contractor and consultant. We experienced logistical challenges in the delivery of some plant components. However, the good news is, the remaining 1.5kms of the pipeline was delivered and a km has already been laid, with 500m to go," Eng. Mugisha said

The plant, now a few stages away from roll-out, will supply 240 million liters of water per day, and serve over 7.5 million people in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono up to 2040.

The contractor is already through with the civil works, commencement of system tests and final installations.

According to the Corporation’s managing director, the critical path which included laying of a 1.4mm diameter water intake 500m into the lake has been completed.

"After testing the plant, we shall test the reservoirs at Nsumba, Ssonde and subsequently carry out pressure tests for the new 51kms Katosi-Kampala bulk transmission main,” he said. “Upon completion of the system tests, we shall charge the new system and serve the population.”

The combined production from Ggaba and Katosi waterworks will address the water supply challenges in … Mukono, Wakiso and Kampala." he said

NWSC Director Engineering services Eng Alex Gisagara outlined the test and final project works as follows:

•Testing and commissioning of different Plant electrical control units.

• Raw water and treated water pumps all installed and connected to power grid

• Offshore pipeline (500m) is already laid on the lake bed.

• More than 8.0km out of 9.5km of the pumping main already laid and undergoing pressure testing.

• Final finishes on the process and none-process buildings/structures are ongoing

•Land scaping and greening of the Plant currently ongoing" he shared

According to the project manager Eng Denis Taremwa, the first drop of water is expected to reach the new Nsumba water reservoirs by the end of April 2021.

New Technology

The Deputy Managing Director Technical Services Eng Johnson Amayo said that the utility is moving away from the traditional treatment of water by sedimentation to the use of dissolved air floatation, in order to deal with the problem of increasing algae on Lake Victoria.

"Upon completion, the Katosi plant will be the first and biggest plant in East and Central Africa using the AquaDAF and AquaZur technologies," he said.

The state-of-the-art plant will incorporate water recycling and sludge thickening to minimize plant losses and promote environmental conservation.

Project Scope

• A 500m offshore abstraction pipeline into Lake Victoria.

• A scada system that will be integrated with the existing NWSC installations

• A modern laboratory to enhance water quality monitoring and management

• A mechanical workshop

•A compact wastewater treatment plant

•A solidwaste handling and incineration facility

• A modern staff housing estate with modern amenities and recreation facilities

Katosi water transmission network at a glance

From the plant, water shall be pumped to the new Nsumba reservoirs (40million litres capacity) through a 9.5km bulk DN1400mm pipeline.

•The water shall thereafter gravitate to Kampala via Mukono – Seeta – Sonde – Namugongo, through a 55km DN1400mm bulk pipeline.

•The Project also entails construction of a 15million litre reservoir in Sonde and booster station in Namugongo.

The project also has a component to supply water to Katosi, Lugazi town and the surrounding areas.