Guide · Water and sewer · Updated 2026-10-22
A new water connection in Nairobi
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company — Nairobi Water — connects properties in Nairobi to the public water supply. You apply online, pay, and Nairobi Water inspects the property and makes the connection. Before you apply, look at the plot on Nairobi Maps: how close the water mains run, and what a pipe would cross to reach it.
The documents
For a person:
- Clear any bills on the property (its LR number), and on any other account you hold with Nairobi Water.
- A copy of your ID card and KRA PIN.
- One passport-size photograph.
- A location sketch map of the property.
- A copy of the title deed, a lease or tenancy agreement, or a rates demand note from Nairobi City County.
- If you rent the property: a copy of the landlord’s ID card and KRA PIN.
For a company:
- Clear any bills on the property.
- Copies of the company’s KRA PIN and certificate of incorporation. Signatures need the company’s rubber stamp or seal.
- A location sketch map of the property, and its title deed, lease or tenancy agreement, or rates demand note.
- If the company rents the property: a copy of the landlord’s ID card and KRA PIN.
How the application moves
- Check the plot. Find it on the map and see how close the water mains run (the City Water Reticulation layer), and which roads a pipe would cross.
- Clear the bills and gather the documents. Bills on the property, or on any other account you hold with Nairobi Water, are cleared first. Then the documents listed above.
- Apply and pay online. Open an account on Nairobi Water’s portal, fill in the application, attach the documents and pay.
- Inspection. Nairobi Water inspects the property and the route of the connection.
- Connection. You buy the connection materials and pay the connection charges; Nairobi Water supervises and makes the connection. Its portal lists the materials and the charges.
Nairobi Water’s portal lists the connection materials and the fees and charges. They change, so they are not repeated here.
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. |
| 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. |
Showing where the property is
The application asks for a location sketch map of the property. On Nairobi Maps, search the plot by its LR, block or FR number and centre the map on it: the Coordinates card at the top gives its latitude and longitude. Signed in, press and hold the plot (or right-click it) and choose Copy coordinates. The map prints, with a coordinate grid, to show exactly where the property is.
On the map: the water layers
| 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.
Questions
What documents do I need for a Nairobi Water connection?
Cleared bills on the property, a copy of your ID card and KRA PIN, a passport-size photograph, a location sketch map of the property, and its title deed, lease or tenancy agreement or rates demand note. A tenant also attaches the landlord’s ID card and KRA PIN. A company attaches its KRA PIN and certificate of incorporation.
How do I apply for a new water connection in Nairobi?
Online, on Nairobi Water’s portal: open an account, fill in the application, attach the documents and pay. Nairobi Water then inspects the property and makes the connection.
Who pays for the pipes?
You do. By Nairobi Water’s instructions, the customer buys the connection materials and pays the connection charges, which include the labour. The portal lists both.
How do I show where my property is?
The application asks for a location sketch map. On Nairobi Maps, find the plot by its number, centre the map on it and print it: the Coordinates card gives its latitude and longitude.
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.