Nairobi Water warns Tata Magadi shutdown could upset operations

The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) has warned that the ongoing suspension of operations at Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited (TCML) could disrupt water treatment processes across the capital.

The municipal utility relies on natural soda ash produced at the Lake Magadi facility to adjust pH levels in treated drinking water prior to distribution.

Operations at the Magadi plant were halted on July 28, 2026, following a government directive issued by the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs over statutory compliance issues.

Ministry officials cited unresolved royalty payment reconciliations and the absence of a required mineral beneficiation strategy.

The plant remains the country's sole domestic manufacturer of natural soda ash, leaving water utility managers with limited local options for sourcing raw chemical inputs.

Continued operational disruption risks forcing municipal utility providers to seek alternative supply arrangements or international chemical imports to maintain standard treatment protocols.

Management at TCML confirmed that full documentation has been submitted to government regulators in an effort to resolve the dispute and secure operational clearance.

The company noted that the prolonged closure affects roughly 500 direct employees and contractors, while disrupting economic activities across the Kajiado region.

The Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs has not publicly issued a timeline for concluding its review of the submitted compliance documents.

Water sector operators continue monitoring the regulatory review as existing chemical stockpiles remain the primary buffer for ongoing water treatment works in Nairobi.