Karuri Water Departments

COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT

The Commercial Department is responsible for billing and acquiring new water and sewer connections to increase water and sanitation services access to citizens while continuously increasing the revenue of the water company by ensuring water produced is billed to meet the cost of running the Company activities.

The main duties of the Commercial Department are namely:
  • Processing of New Water & Sewer applications.
  • Undertaking monthly meter reading exercises.
  • Meter relocation, raising, and replacement.
  • Billing for water and sewer consumed.
  • Dispatching of bills to customers through SMS, email, or hard copies.
  • Resolve customer complaints of all kinds/Customer relations.
  • Allocate and supervise Water Kiosk operators to ensure water is sold at the recommended price.
  • Regularly engage the community to know their concerns and issues about water and sanitation services.
  • Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements for tariff setting and approval.

Finance department

The finance department has three distinct roles that help the company attain its overall objectives. The roles are as follows:
1. COLLECT; We follow up with customers to ensure prompt payment of bills.

We do this through:
a) Persuasion
b) Calls
c) Text reminders
d) Sign part payment agreements on deserving cases
e) Disconnection (last resort)

2. PAY

Process payments of suppliers and company expenditures.

  • We Process customer deposit refunds.
  • We Process and ensure adherence to approved budgets.
  • We Process payments are done with proper authorization.
  • We process payments of suppliers and company expenditure
  • We process customer deposit refunds
  • We process and ensure adherence to approved budgets
  • We ensure all payments are done with proper authorization
3. ACCOUNT
  • We ensure all payment documents are properly prepared, authorized, and serially filed.
  • We ensure that the company prepares quarterly and annual financial statements in line with IFRS & PFM Act 2012.
  • We avail documentation for internal and external audits (done by the Office of the Auditor General).

PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT

The operations of the procurement department are guided by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act of 2015 and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Regulations of 2020.

The procurement department has four major roles
  • To acquire good, services, works and assets for the Company
  • Storing of inventory and asset management
  • Issuing of inventory to internal customers (the internal users)
  • Disposal of assets.
The Department’s Main functions include:
  • Preparation of consolidated procurements and asset disposal plans
  • Maintain and continually update standing list of registered suppliers.
  • Prepare tender, publish and distribute procurement and disposal opportunities to facilitate fair completion.
  • Monitoring of contract management, to ensure implementations of contracts in accordance with terms and condition of contracts
  • Conducting periodic and annual stock take.
  • Inventory control, asset and stores management and distribution.
  • Maintain and archive procurement and asset disposal documents.
  • To dispose assets that are no longer in use by the Company.
  • Act as the Liaison between National Treasury, County Government and the PPRA on matters procurement and for reporting purposes.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT

The Human Resources and Corporate Affairs department plays a crucial role in an organization by managing the most valuable asset – its employees. HR is responsible for various functions that help create a positive and productive work environment, ensuring the organization can achieve its goals effectively. Some of the key roles of the HR department include;

  • Recruitment and Selection. The HR department plays a crucial role in attracting, identifying, and hiring the right talent for the organization. They are responsible for designing job descriptions, Posting job ads, screening resumes, conducting interviews, and making job offers.
  • Training and Development: The department is responsible for creating and implementing training programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of employees.
  • Organize workshops, seminars, and on-the-job training sessions to help employees grow in their roles.
  • Performance Management: The department is in charge of evaluating employee performance, providing feedback, and setting goals for improvement.
  • Manage performance appraisals, promotions, and disciplinary actions when necessary
  • Employee Relations: The HR department is responsible for maintaining positive relationships between employees and management. They handle employee grievances, conflicts, and concerns, and work towards creating a harmonious work environment.
  • Compensation and Benefits: The HR department is responsible for designing competitive salary structures, benefits packages, and incentive programs to attract and retain top talent. They also manage payroll, bonuses, and other financial incentives.
  • Compliance: The HR department ensures that the organization complies with all legal requirements and regulations related to employment, workplace safety, and labor laws. They also handle employee documentation, contracts, and records management.
  • Organizational Development: The HR department plays a key role in shaping the organizational culture, values, and norms. They are responsible for promoting employee engagement, diversity, and inclusion initiatives to create a positive and inclusive work environment.
  • Strategic Planning: The HR department collaborates with senior management to align HR strategies with the overall business goals and objectives of the organization. They provide insights and recommendations on talent management, workforce planning, and organizational development to drive business success.
  • Talent Management: The HR department is responsible for identifying and developing high-potential employees within the organization. They implement succession planning, talent retention strategies, and career development programs to ensure the organization has a strong pipeline of future leaders.
  • Employee Wellness: The HR department promotes employee well-being through initiatives such as health and wellness programs, mental health support, and work-life balance policies. They also handle employee benefits such as health insurance, sick leave, and vacation time to support employee well-being
  • External communications: Corporate affairs manages external communications for the water company, including public relations, media outreach, and social media management. They work to promote the company's reputation and build positive relationships with stakeholders and the community.

TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT

Karuri Water and Sanitation Company (KAWSCO) is responsible for the provision of Water Services within Kiambaa Sub County, with a population of approximately 267,360  people. The Technical Department’s main mandate is to ensure the delivery/ conveyance of this water as well as operation (rationing/ no flow) and maintenance (leak and burst repair) of the water system. 

The area of jurisdiction covered by KAWSCO has five administrative wards namely, Karuri, Muchatha, Ndenderu, Cianda, and Kihara. The average total population served by water is188,209 giving a coverage of 70% according to the WASREB impact report of 2022/23. The Department is in charge of water production, water distribution, operation and maintenance of the water infrastructure and water quality control. 

The department is also responsible for network expansion and implementation of new water infrastructure. The Company’s sources of water are 12 boreholes and 10 offtakes from which bulk water is purchased from Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited.  

Duties and Responsibilities of the Technical Department
  • Water Quality Monitoring: Regularly testing and monitoring the quality of water to ensure it meets health and safety standards as per KEBS and WHO.
  • System Maintenance: Maintaining and repairing water distribution systems including pipes, valves, and hydrants.
  • Pressure Management: Adjusting and maintaining pressures within all water distribution systems to ensure consistent water flow.
  • Equipment Operation: Operating and maintaining major water system equipment such as pumps and filtration systems.
  • Emergency Response: Responding to emergencies such as pipe bursts or contamination incidents to minimize service disruption.
  • Data Management: Keeping accurate records of water usage, system maintenance, and repairs
  • Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring all operations comply with set regulations.
  • Customer Service: Addressing customer inquiries and issues related to water services.
  • Inspection and Maintenance: Regularly inspect sewer lines and drainage systems to identify and address any issues such as blockages, leaks, or damages.
  • Repair and Construction: Participate in the construction, maintenance, and repair of waste water collection systems, including the installation of new sewer lines and the repair of existing ones.

NON-REVENUE WATER (NRW) DEPARTMENT

NRW refers to water that has been produced and is “lost “before it reaches the customer. These losses can be real, through leaks, or apparent through theft or metering inaccuracies. The main components are physical(real) losses, commercial(apparent)losses, and unbilled authorized consumption.

General Procedure for Non-Revenue Water(NRW) Maintenance

  • Assessment and analysis
  • Leak detection and repair
  • Pressure management
  • Metering and billing
  • Loss prevention and control
  • Regular monitoring and reporting
  • Training and capacity building
  • Technology integration
  • Maintenance Schedule

INTERNAL AUDIT DEPARTMENT

At Karuri Water & Sanitation Company, our Internal Audit department was established in 2017 after the recruitment of an Internal Auditor to oversee the audit functions of the company concerning corporate governance guidelines by regulators and related legislation on water service provision It plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of our operations. We are dedicated to providing independent, objective assurance and consulting services that add value and improve our organization’s operations.

What We Do

  • Risk Management: We assess and evaluate the effectiveness of our risk management processes to identify potential risks and recommend improvements.
  • Compliance: We ensure that our operations comply with internal policies, external regulations, and industry standards.
  • Operational Efficiency: We analyze and enhance operational processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Assurance Engagements: We evaluate and report on the reliability of information or compliance with predefined criteria. The engagements are governed by professional standards and ethics, ensuring that our opinion is impartial and based on evidence.

ICT DEPARTMENT

The Department of Information and Communications Technology plays a crucial role in Karuri Water & Sanitation Company, contributing to efficiency, service delivery, and management. This is also in line with standard guidelines per WASREB, Acts per the rule of the law, and other water regulatory bodies.

Main roles under the department.
  • Infrastructure Management: The ICT department is responsible for managing and maintaining the technological infrastructure of the water company. This includes company networks, servers, databases, and communication systems essential for day-to-day operations.
  • Data Management and Analysis: They handle the collection, storage, and analysis of data related to water usage, supply, billing, and customer information. This data is crucial for making informed decisions regarding resource allocation, planning, and operational efficiency.
  • Billing and Customer Management Systems: ICT systems manage billing processes, customer accounts, and payment systems. This ensures accurate billing, timely invoicing, and effective management of customer interactions and complaints.
  • Mobile and Web Applications: Developing and maintaining applications that allow customers to access services such as bill payment, account management, and reporting issues. This improves customer convenience and service delivery.
  • Cybersecurity: Ensuring the security of ICT systems and networks to protect sensitive data, prevent unauthorized access, and safeguard against cyber threats and attacks.
  • Integration with Other Departments: Collaborating with other departments such as operations, finance, and human resources to integrate ICT solutions that streamline processes and improve overall organizational efficiency.
  • Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: Ensuring that ICT systems and processes comply with regulatory standards and requirements set by regulatory bodies in Kenya.
  • Innovation and Technology Adoption: Exploring new technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things), AI (Artificial Intelligence), and automation to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery.
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