DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING.

A REPORT ON MAINTANANCE STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY NATIONAL

WATER AND SEWERAGE COOPERATION(NWSC);

A CASE STUDY OF KABALE BRANCH.

SSEBATINDIRA MUHAMMED

REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2021/A/KCE/1720/G/F.

ACADEMIC ASSESOR: DR USMAN ROGO KABIRU

SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULLFILMENT OF REQIUREMENTS FOR

COMPLETION OF FOURTH YEAR SEMESTER ONE OF BACHELORS DEGREE IN
CIVIL ENGINEERING AT KABALE UNIVERSITY.

September, 2024.
 DECLARATION

I Ssebatindira Muhammed declare and confirm that all the information contained in this
report is a true reflection and an actual account for all activities engaged in, any similarities
observed are just a mere coincidence.

SSEBATINDIRA MUHAMMED.

Signature: …………………………… Date: ……………………………

 DEDICATION

I dedicate this work to my parents, Mr. Mukasa Thabit and Ms. Nantale Joyce, siblings,
mentors and friends, who have always prayed, encouraged, motivated and supported
throughout my education journey. I know what it takes to be an ethically upright professional
Engineer and promise to do all it takes to be one, add my contribution to the National
development, change the society and make my parents happy. Am also very grateful to all
those who have guided me in the production of this report and most of all to the almighty
God for the life and good health.
Table of Contents
DECLARATION.................................................................................................................................2
DEDICATION.....................................................................................................................................3
LIST OF ACROYNYMS....................................................................................................................6
CHAPTER ONE..................................................................................................................................7
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................7
History and Background of NWSC............................................................................................7
Overview of NWSC Kabale branch............................................................................................8
CHAPTER TWO: MAINTANANCE STRATEGIES EMPLOYED..............................................8
Acquisition of funds for maintenance works in the organization.................................................8
Maintenance strategies adopted by the Branch.............................................................................8
Preventive maintenance..............................................................................................................9
Corrective Maintenance..............................................................................................................9
Condition-Based Maintenance..................................................................................................10
Emergency Maintenance...........................................................................................................11
CHAPTER THREE: CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS........................................11
Challenges Faced in Maintenance................................................................................................11
Impact of Maintenance Strategies................................................................................................12
Recommendations for Improvement............................................................................................12
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................12
References..........................................................................................................................................14
LIST OF FIGURES.

Figure 1:Visiting NWSC Kabale branch...........................................................................................7

Figure 2: Repair of a burst pipe near NIRA offices Kabale...........................................................10
LIST OF ACROYNYMS

NWSC - NATIONAL WATER AND SEWERAGE CORPORATION

 CHAPTER ONE
Introduction.

Figure 1:Visiting NWSC Kabale branch

History and Background of NWSC

National water and sewerage corporation was formed by Decree No 34 in 1972 to serve the
urban areas of Kampala, Entebbe and Jinja. In 1995, NWSC was reorganized under the
NWSC Statute. By 1990, the organization had registered 20% coverage followed by 80% in
2024, 80% customer satisfaction index in the same year with a 95% coverage projection by
the year 2029 (NWSC website, 2024)

The corporation ‘s mandate as defined in the NWSC Act 2000, Cap317 Laws of Uganda
section 5(1), is to operate and provide water and sewerage services in areas entrusted to it, on
a sound commercial and viable basis.

The corporation currently operates in 276 towns across 95 districts in the country, with a
target population of 20 million people. The customer base comprises 930,000 water
connections and 29,400 sewer connections. The corporation also provides water services to
less privileged through 30,000 public stand pipes (PSPs), whose tariff is subsidized.

As part of its mandate, NWSC operates branches throughout the country with one of the key
branches located in Kabale a town in southwestern Uganda.
This case study focusses on the maintenance strategies adopted by the Kabale branch of
NWSC to ensure the continuous provision of safe water and reliable water supply services as
well as management of the sewerage system.

Kabale being located in a hilly and mountainous region, presents unique challenges that
require tailored maintenance strategies to overcome.

Overview of NWSC Kabale branch

The Kabale branch serves both urban and preurban communities which rely heavily on the
services provided by the organization. The branch covers a wide area that includes
residential, commercial and institutional clients. Due to its terrain, distribution networks in
Kabale are more prone to issues like pipe bursts, blockage and wear and tear making
maintenance a critical component of operations.

CHAPTER TWO: MAINTANANCE STRATEGIES EMPLOYED.

Acquisition of funds for maintenance works in the organization.

NWSC Kabale collects up to 350 million shillings in revenue from customers of which 150
million is paid for electricity leaving only 200 million which is not enough to cater for
treatment processes in production as well as payment of staff and maintenance works, the
deficit is always covered by the government. (word of mouth).

As the whole body, NWSC has, for a continuous period, covered all operation and
maintenance costs, while using internally generated revenue for investment in smaller capital
works and enjoying wide-ranging support from both GOU and the development partner
community. Concessionary loans are usually passed on as grants to the NWSC and bolster
the asset base. In the past, the largest contributions were made by development partners.
Development partners typically contribute to specific projects and NWSC has been fortunate
in having, and planning, sufficient bankable projects thus ensuring a rolling capital
investment program (Katongole, 2022)

Maintenance strategies adopted by the Branch.

Accordingly, National water and sewerage corporation Kabale adopted a preventive,
corrective, condition based and Emergency maintenance strategies to enhance effectiveness
in performance of their systems and improve its lifetime.
Preventive maintenance.
Preventive maintenance is one of the key strategies adopted by NWSC Kabale to minimize
service interruptions and extend the life time of its assets. The branch follows a regular
schedule for inspecting and maintaining its water treatment plants, reservoirs, pump stations
and distribution pipeline.

Key activities include;

Routine Inspection: Regular monitoring and inspection of key infrastructure to detect

potential issues before they escalate.

Cleaning and Flushing of Pipelines: Regular cleaning of pipelines to prevent blockages and
sediment accumulation, which is more frequent in hilly areas.

Water Quality Monitoring: Regular testing of water quality at different stages of the supply
chain to ensure safe water provision and avoid contamination.

Corrective Maintenance
Corrective maintenance involves responding to issues as they arise. The Kabale branch has
established response teams that can quickly address emergencies such as pipe bursts, pump
failures, and sewer blockages. This strategy ensures that water services are restored quickly
after a failure and minimizes the impact on consumers. An efficient response system is in
place for emergency repairs. When a pipe bursts, the maintenance team is alerted through a
community reporting system, allowing for quick action to minimize service disruption.

Different contact persons as well as reach out centers such as offices, telephone contacts and
social media handles have been created to allow for customers to easily report such cases.
Once received, the immediate contact person of the area such as the area Engineer confirms
the receipt of complaint and a team is sent to site to assess the magnitude of damage and
predict the material needed. For all damages before the meter, they are catered for by the
company while damages after the meter are a responsibility of the client who should finance
the cost for repair. If material is readily available, a team is sent to do the repair however for
cases where materials are not available which is the most common case, material needed is
borrowed from the nearby branch. For cases where both branches do not readily possess the
required material, the flow is stopped with the help of a valve and a request is sent to the head
office for the material.

Key activities include:

Repair of Pipe Bursts: Quick identification and repair of leaks or bursts in the water
distribution network.

Figure 2: Repair of a burst pipe near NIRA offices Kabale

Pump Repairs: Maintenance and repair of pumps, especially in areas where water needs to
be pumped uphill.

Sewer System Repairs: Fixing blockages or damages in the sewer system to prevent
environmental contamination.

Condition-Based Maintenance.
Condition-based maintenance involves monitoring the condition of assets and performing
maintenance only when needed. This approach allows the Kabale branch to use resources
efficiently by focusing efforts on areas where deterioration is imminent.

Key activities include:

Pipeline Pressure Monitoring: Monitoring the pressure in pipelines to identify areas with
potential leaks or weaknesses.

Pump Efficiency Monitoring: Regular checks on the performance of pumps, and replacing
or repairing them when efficiency drops.
Reservoir Inspections: Regular inspections of reservoirs to detect signs of corrosion, leaks,
or structural weaknesses.

Emergency Maintenance
Given the rugged terrain and weather-related challenges in Kabale, the branch also has
emergency maintenance strategies in place. These include rapid response teams and standby
equipment that can be deployed to handle unexpected breakdowns, floods, or landslides that
may affect water infrastructure.

Key activities include:

24/7 Response Teams: Teams are on standby to handle emergencies such as water shortages,
pipe bursts, or natural disasters.

Backup Systems: Establishment of backup water sources, including boreholes, to ensure

supply during major disruptions.

CHAPTER THREE: CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

Challenges Faced in Maintenance
Despite the proactive maintenance strategies, the Kabale branch faces several challenges,
including:

Rugged Terrain: The mountainous landscape makes access to certain parts of the water
network difficult, particularly in emergency situations.

Aging Infrastructure: Some of the water and sewerage systems in Kabale are old, increasing
the likelihood of breakdowns and failures.

Budget Constraints: Limited financial resources sometimes restrict the extent of preventive
and corrective maintenance activities.

Climate Change: Unpredictable weather patterns, including heavy rains and droughts, affect
water availability and the integrity of the infrastructure.
Impact of Maintenance Strategies.
The adoption of these maintenance strategies has had a significant positive impact on the
operations of the NWSC Kabale branch:

Reduction in Service Interruptions: Regular preventive maintenance has reduced the

frequency and duration of water service interruptions.

Improved Water Quality: Continuous monitoring and maintenance of water treatment

facilities ensure that water quality remains high.

Cost Savings: Condition-based maintenance has led to a reduction in repair costs by

addressing issues before they escalate.

Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Quick response to emergencies and effective

maintenance have led to improved service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Recommendations for Improvement

To further enhance the effectiveness of the maintenance strategies at NWSC Kabale branch,
the following recommendations are made:

Investment in Modern Technology: Use of advanced monitoring systems, such as smart

meters and remote sensing, could improve early detection of leaks and system inefficiencies.

Capacity Building: Regular training of staff on the latest maintenance techniques and
technologies to improve operational efficiency.

Increased Funding: Securing additional funds from the government or donors could help in
upgrading aging infrastructure and expanding preventive maintenance efforts.

Community Engagement: Involving the local community in monitoring and reporting

infrastructure issues could enhance maintenance response times.

Conclusion
The NWSC Kabale branch has adopted a variety of maintenance strategies to ensure
continuous and efficient service delivery in a challenging environment. By combining
preventive, corrective, condition-based, and emergency maintenance strategies, the branch
has been able to maintain service reliability despite the various challenges it faces. With
further investment in technology and infrastructure, the Kabale branch can continue to
improve its service delivery and ensure sustainable water supply for the region.
References
Katongole, M. G. (2022). FINANCIAL ANALYSIS: UGANDA NATIONAL WATER AND
SEWERAGE CORPORATION. KAMPALA: NWSC.
NWSC website. (2024). NWSC. NWSC.