Guide · Water and sewer · Updated 2026-10-22
Water and sewer for a plot in Nairobi
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company — Nairobi Water — supplies water and runs the public sewers in Nairobi. Before you buy, build or apply for a connection, look at the plot on Nairobi Maps: how close the water mains and trunk sewers run, and what a pipe or drain would cross to reach them. Then check Nairobi Water’s region for the area and the days water comes.
On the map
| Layer | What it shows | Who sees it |
|---|---|---|
| City Water Reticulation | Nairobi Water’s water mains: the pipes in the streets that properties are connected to. | Add-on layer |
| Trunk sewer | The trunk sewers: the large public sewer lines that building drains connect to. | Add-on layer |
| Water Reservoirs | Nairobi Water’s service reservoirs, tanks and pump stations. | Silver and above |
City Water Reticulation and Trunk sewer are add-on layers: each is bought once, on any plan, and kept — see plans and pricing. The Water Reservoirs layer comes with Silver and above. The layers show where the pipes run; Nairobi Water confirms the connection for a property.
Connecting a property
- New water connectionThe documents and the steps with Nairobi Water
- Sewer connectionThe drawing, the steps and the materials
- Water supply days by areaThe days recorded for each zone, and where to check today’s
Nairobi Water’s regions
Nairobi Water runs the city through regions, each with distribution zones fed from a reservoir.
| Region | Zones and areas | Places |
|---|---|---|
| Dagoretti | 3S · Kawangware 5 · Kilimani – Kileleshwa 4 · Kitusuru 2S · Waithaka 3N · Waithaka | Kabiro, Riara, Hurlingham, Riverside, Spring Valley, Waiyaki Way, Ngando and Uthiru |
| Kasarani | 11 · Githurai – Clay City | Clay City and Githurai |
| Nairobi East | 2N · Nairobi East | Central, Kasarani, Lower Embakasi, Roysambu and Upper Embakasi |
| Nairobi West | 7 · Nairobi West | Dagoretti, Langata and Westlands |
| Roysambu | 6 · Kiambu Road – Roysambu | Marurui Njathaini and Ridgeways -Mirema |
| Westlands | 1 · Karura 9 · Karura 10 · Kitusuru 8 · Parklands | Muthaiga, Ngara, Spring Valley, Waiyaki Way, Brookside and Highridge |
Nairobi Water’s Know your region page gives each region’s contacts.
Check the plot before you apply
| Check | Where | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| The plot and its number | Search the map by LR, block or FR number | The application names the property, and its title, lease or rates demand note is for that parcel. |
| Which Nairobi Water region serves it | Nairobi Water’s Know your region, and its regions listed here | The region’s office deals with the connection, the bills and the supply. |
| How close the water mains run | The City Water Reticulation layer | A water connection is a pipe from a main to the property: the layer shows where the mains run. |
| How close the trunk sewer runs | The Trunk sewer layer | A sewer connection is a drain from the building to the public sewer, and its drawing must show the levels along the way. |
| Which days water comes | Supply days by area, then Nairobi Water’s own notices | Many areas get water on set days: plan storage for the days without it. |
| Where exactly the property is | Centre the map on the plot: the Coordinates card gives its position, and the map prints | The application asks for a location sketch map of the property. |
| Your right to the property | An official search on Ardhisasa | Nairobi Water asks for a title deed, a lease or tenancy agreement, or a rates demand note from Nairobi City County. |
| Roads on the way | The roads layer on the map | Work in a public road needs permission to open it before work starts, and a pipe under a road needs concrete or non-corrosive metal. |
| Rivers on the way | The rivers layers on the map | A pipe across a river or a valley should be non-corrosive metal, and work beside a river can need consent from the Water Resources Authority and NEMA. |
| If no public sewer can be reached | NEMA’s effluent discharge licence | Wastewater from a premises’ work discharged anywhere but a public sewer needs NEMA’s licence. |
Why start on Nairobi Maps
A connection starts from the site: where it is and what runs past it. Nairobi Maps holds those facts for every parcel in Nairobi on one map — the plot by its LR, block or FR number, its planning zone, the water mains and trunk sewers near it, and the roads and rivers a pipe or drain would cross. The owner, the engineer and Nairobi Water start from the same facts. The whole checklist is in built-environment due diligence in Nairobi.
Questions
How do I apply for a Nairobi Water connection?
Online, on Nairobi Water’s portal: clear any bills on the property, attach the documents, apply and pay. Nairobi Water inspects the property and makes the connection; you buy the materials and pay the connection charges.
Can I see the water mains and sewers near my plot?
Yes. On Nairobi Maps the City Water Reticulation layer shows Nairobi Water’s water mains and the Trunk sewer layer the trunk sewers. Each is an add-on layer, bought once and kept.
Which Nairobi Water region am I in?
Look for your area in the regions below, or ask Nairobi Water: its “Know your region” page lists each region and how to reach it.
When does water come in my area?
See the supply days recorded for each zone on this site, then Nairobi Water’s “Know your supply day” page and interruption notices, which are the current word.
Is Nairobi Maps part of Nairobi Water?
No. Nairobi Maps is an independent map of Nairobi’s land and the services around it, for checking a plot before you apply. Nairobi Water — Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company — decides every connection.
Nairobi Maps is not part of Nairobi Water. This guide explains the usual route from Nairobi Water’s published instructions; requirements, fees and supply days change, so confirm them with Nairobi Water.