All water vendors to acquire permit by end of February, regulator says
The Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) has announced that all water vendors will have to acquire a permit from the water service provider by February 28, 2023.
In a gazette notice published on Friday, the regulator said the directive will apply to a wide range of water vending systems, including water kiosks, water tankers, hand or donkey drawn carts, water points, private boreholes, among others.
The crucial notice addressed to all water service providers in Kenya, also called for the regulation of water vending systems within their areas of supply.
The notice requires strict adherence to specific guidelines set forth by WASREB to ensure the provision of safe, efficient, and affordable water services to consumers. This includes sourcing water only from approved sources, operating vending kiosks or water tankers at approved locations, submitting health certificates of vendors, and filing annual reports in accordance with the approved reporting format.
According to WASREB’s acting chief executive officer, Julius Itunga, the regulations aim to ensure that the water vending systems comply with the guidelines set forth by the regulatory board, including quality control measures, cost efficiency, and customer service standards.
Itunga emphasized the importance of adhering to these regulations in relation to the consumer and has advised all water service providers to commence the registration process immediately.