The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) has warned that the suspension of Tata Chemicals Magadi’s operations could disrupt water treatment in the capital.

The utility firm said its three main water treatment plants use soda ash to control the level of hydrogen ions in water, commonly referred to as pH. NWSC revealed that it relies on Tata Chemicals Magadi for more than 360 tonnes of soda ash every month.

“The Magadi facility… shutdown converts a routine, low-risk water treatment step into an emergency requiring substitute chemicals, new water treatment chemical dosing equipment and intensified water quality monitoring,” the utility said.

Water pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in water, indicating how acidic or alkaline it is. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. pH values less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base.

Magadi is the only domestic manufacturer of natural soda ash in Kenya. Nairobi Water uses the chemical to adjust the pH of treated water and stabilise it against corrosion in distribution networks.

The High Court last week declined to lift the July 28 suspension of Tata Chemicals Magadi’s operations over a licensing and compliance dispute with the government.

Read: Judge declines to lift suspension of Tata Chemicals Magadi operations

Tata Chemicals’ dispute centres around alleged royalty obligations and compliance with licensing, export reporting, community agreements, local employment and environmental rules.

The government says the company does not hold a current mining licence because its application was still being processed.

It also says the firm received several notices over alleged royalty arrears. The firm denies owing royalties.

The High Court last week declined to lift the firm’s suspension, ruling that the decision had already taken effect when the mining company moved to court.

Nairobi Water has warned the shutdown leaves utilities relying on costly imports because there is no other known operating natural soda ash source in East Africa.

The utility said the locally available hydrated lime is not a matching substitute to soda ash because it can increase the risk of line scaling and blockage, pH swings, elevated turbidity, residual aluminium and higher maintenance and safety burdens.

“One key advantage (of soda ash) over other locally available alternative alkalis is that it dissolves fully into a true solution, allowing for precise, stable dosing,” Nairobi Water said.

Last week, the court said it was not required at this stage to determine the merits of the dispute. The case is expected to return to court on October 6.

Tata Chemicals is also involved in a separate Supreme Court case with the Kajiado County Government over land rates and royalties, with the county demanding Sh17.45 billion for alleged arrears between 2013 and 2018.

→dmusau@ke.nationmedia.com

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