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Biting water shortage adds pain to Athi River mortgage takers

water

Homeowners in the town have to grapple with perennial water shortages. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Most middle-class property owners in Athi River under mortgage arrangements are up in arms over a lack of water in their new homes.

The shortage has escalated the cost of living and made repayment of their loans costly.

In recent years, developers have taken the Athi River region by storm with several high-end housing units mushrooming all over. The region’s proximity to Nairobi, availability of land and building materials have attracted the developers in droves.

The recent developments in Athi River include Wema Villas, Green Parkview Estate, Pine City Estate, Great Wall Garden Estate and Crystal Rivers Safaricom Mall.

However, homeowners in the town have to grapple with perennial water shortages and have to incur additional costs to obtain the commodity, affecting scheduled mortgage payments.

A spot check indicates the Great Wall Gardens, which has 2,173 two- and three-bedroom units, faces water scarcity.

Low-income earners

Erdemann Properties Ltd Sales and marketing manager Caroline Wahito said the company, which is the developer of the Sh7.5 billion project, has been forced to give home buyers flexible payment terms to attract low-income earners.

Most residents in Athi River use salty borehole water at an extra cost.

New homeowners and tenants said they incur high cost on the borehole water. Some claim they pay an average of Sh15,000 in water bills for a three-bedroom house a month.

“I felt Sh20,000 monthly mortgage payment was considerate but salty water bill has been skyrocketing. Last month, I was slapped with a water bill amounting to Sh16,000. Will I be paying for water or servicing the mortgage?” posed Delina Barbra, a resident at Great wall Garden resident.

However, Great Wall Gardens management maintains most Athi River estates experience water shortages because most of the boreholes have dried up. They said they working with Machakos County to address the problem.

Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company blames the crisis on the ongoing drought.

Managing director Michael Mang’eli said the firm has put in place measures to supply locals with enough fresh water by the end of March.