By Nasser Kasozi Akandwanaho
The national water and sewerage corporation with support from the Government of Uganda is finalizing the construction of a new water treatment plant in Katosi, Mukono district.
Works on the 240million liters per day water production plant are near completion with 5% of project works left.
According to Eng. Sylver Mugisha NWSC Boss, the Katosi water plant will serve over 7.5million people in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono up to 2040.
Assessing the progress of works and ongoing system tests at the plant, NWSC MD Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha said that water supply challenges in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts will soon be history.
This follows 100% completion of the Katosi Water Treatment Plant civil works, commencement of system tests and final installations at the facility.
“We are happy with the progess made so far by the contractor and consultant.
We experienced logistical challenges in the delivery of some plant components. However, the good news is, the remaining 1.5kms of the pipe line was delivered and a km has already been laid, with 500m to go.” Eng Mugisha said.
Dr. Silver, added that the critical path which included laying of a 1.4mm diameter water intake 500m into the lake has been completed.
“After testing the plant, we shall test the reservoirs at Nsumba, Ssonde and subsequently carry out pressure tests for the new 51kms Katosi-Kampala bulk transmission main.
Upon completion of the system tests, we shall charge the new system and serve the population.
The combined production from Ggaba and Katosi water works will address the water supply challenges in the Kampala Metropolitan service area; Mukono, Wakiso and Kampala.” he said
The Director Engineering services Eng Alex Gisagara said that the following tests and final project works are ongoing;
•Testing and commisioning of different Plant electrical control units.
• Raw water and treated water pumps all installed and connected to power grid
• Offshore pipeline (500m)is already laid on the lake bed.
• More than 8.0km out of 9.5km of the pumping main already laid and undergoing pressure testing.
• Final finishes on the process and none-process buildings/structures are ongoing
•Land scaping and greening of the Plant currently ongoing” he shared.
Eng Denis Taremwa, the Project Manager, said that works are on course with the first drop of water expected to reach the new Nsumba water reservoirs by the end of April 2021.
New Technology
The Deputy Managing Director Technical Services Eng Johnson Amayo said that the utility is moving away from the traditional treatment of water by sedimentation to the use of dissolved air floatation, in order to deal with the problem of increasing algae on Lake Victoria.
“Upon completion, the Katosi plant will be the first and biggest plant in East and Central Africa using the AquaDAF and AquaZur technologies” said Eng.Mugisha
The state of the art plant shall incorporate water recycling and sludge thickening to minimise plant losses and promote environmental conservation.
Project Scope
• A 500m offshore abstraction pipeline into Lake Victoria.
• A scada system that will be integrated with the existing NWSC installations
• A modern laboratory to enhance water quality monitoring and management
• A mechanical workshop
•A compact wastewater treatment plant
•A solidwaste handling and incineration facility
• A modern staff housing estate with modern amenities and recreation facilities
Katosi water transmission network at a Glance
From the plant, water shall be pumped to the new Nsumba reservoirs (40million litres capacity) through a 9.5km bulk DN1400mm pipeline.
•The water shall thereafter gravitate to Kampala via Mukono – Seeta – Sonde – Namugongo, through a 55km DN1400mm bulk pipeline.
•The Project also entails construction of a 15million litre reservoir in Sonde and booster station in Namugongo.
The project also has a component to supply water to Katosi, Lugazi town and the surrounding areas.
