BUSIA COUNTY

Bordering Uganda to the west, Lake Victoria to the south, and surrounded to the north and east by Bungoma, Kakamega and Siaya Counties, Busia is home to nearly one million people. Less than two-thirds of the population has access to clean drinking water.

The county’s main water utility, Busia Water and Sewerage Services Company (BUWASSCO) only serves 200,000 out of the population of approximately 784,000. The county has a mission to increase the number of people served with clean drinking water to at least 80% of the county’s population, through strategic investments and improved governance of the water sector.

Key KIWASH interventions in Busia County include:

Water Access and Distribution

• Supporting the Busia County Department of Water and Busia Water and Sanitation Services Company to improve efficiency of business operations, serve customers better, reach new customers and qualify for financing to expand services.
• Developing and launching a five-year strategic plan and operation manuals to guide the efficient operations and management of Busia County’s main water utility.
• Strengthening the capacity of 20 smaller water enterprises to improve operational efficiency, customer service and financial management, as well as the expansion of their customer base.
• Establishing community associations to manage and protect water sources.

Governance and Policy

• Developing rules and regulations for the implementation of the Busia Water Act of 2015.
• Advancing policies, together with the departments of water and health, that protect water sources, support WASH enterprises and promote the improvement of water access and supply in the county.

Sanitation and Hygiene

• Enhancing capacity of health facilities in integrating Essential WASH actions (EWA) at ORT corners and MCH clinic points by equipping ORT corners, installing large volume hand washing facilities and distributing safe water and hygiene kits to pregnant women and mothers who visit health facilities  to encourage adoption of EWAs
• Building capacity of a critical mass of frontline service providers particularly CHVs and CHEWS, artisans, masons and organized community groups to encourage adoption of desired WASH behaviors at household and community level.

Environmental Sustainability

• Expanding source water quality protection through spring protection activities, water resource mapping in catchment areas, tree growing and erosion control activities.
• Increasing climate change resilience in drinking water source planning, development and design of systems/services.