Kitengela WaterKiosk
About
Overview
Location
Kajiado County, Kenya
Type
Solar-PV powered desalination
Capacity
5,300 GPD
Product quality
Potable
Distribution
Local
Technology type
Reverse osmosis
Land footprint:
Output:
Solar energy and fresh water
Facilities
3
Project description
Kitengela is located 34 Kilometres south of the capital Nairobi, forming part of the greater Metropolitan Area. Over the years, water politics has subjected Kitengela town residents to perennial shortages. Water scarcity in the town is glaring and prices are skyrocketing. The town has neither a nearby river nor a water reservoir. Residents depends on underground water.
How we reuse water
Groundwater wells located near the ocean often encounter saltwater intrusion as they pump more and more water. As a result, water that was once fresh can become salty and undrinkable over time and require treatment. Because desalination requires significant electricity to run high pressure pumps, solar energy is an ideal way to generate ‘off-grid’ energy that is both reliable and cost effective for desalination. This allows groundwater that would otherwise be unuseable to become a reliable source of additional water.