TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY OF LODWAR WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANY (LOWASCO)

WATER SUPPLY SCHEME TURKANA COUNTY

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TECHNICAL)
BACKGROUND:
Oxfam together with other 5 partners have been contracted by DFID to fast track the attainment of MDG
goal on sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation under the WASH Results Program.
This project focuses across the three largest arid and semi arid Counties of Northern Kenya (Turkana,
Marsabit and Wajir) and at least three informal settlements (slums) of Nairobi (Dandora, Kawangare and
Mukuru).
Under this project, Oxfam together with the SWIFT consortium partners, we intend to work closely with
County Governments and also water service providers in the design and implementation of infrastructural
works. It is with these regards that Oxfam is partnering with Turkana County Government towards
supporting Lodwar Water and Sewerage Company (LOWASCO) to improve access to water to the residents
of Lodwar town. Our target is to contribute to improving access and reliability of water supply in Lodwar
town.
In order to make informed infrastructure development/improvement decisions, water utility companies do
require diverse information on an ongoing basis. A lot of this information need to be geographically
referenced not only to stay up to date but also make use of modern design and management software for
instance ArcGIS, AutoCAD, WaterCAD, Surfer, EPANET etc.
With geo-referenced water distribution network, the system can be simulated and analysed using these
software. In turn it can help trouble shoot areas with low or pressure problems, areas that are least covered,
service levels in different supply zones, proximity to storage facilities and subsequent effect, help in
informing where to place zonal meters and thus reducing the unaccounted for water etc.
This information also will help form the baseline database from which improvement decisions will be
pegged upon. This will be helpful especially in phased improvement/development.
With the mapping of Individual connections (ICs) and other consumers (commercial and institutions), this
can be integrated with the billing software at a later stage and hence improve the current billing system.
Overall this undertaking will enable all stakeholders better understand what infrastructure exists and its
condition, demand needs, supply constraints and opportunities for improvement.
LOWASCO SUMMARY
Lodwar Water and Sanitation Company Ltd (LOWASCO) is a corporate entity that was established in 2007
under the Companies Act, Cap 286 Laws of Kenya. The core business of LOWASCO is the provision of
efficient and affordable water and sanitation services to the residents of its area of jurisdiction as defined in
the Service Provision Agreement (SPA). Curently:
LOWASCO serves approximately 28,000 persons though the population within the area of supply is
116,580 persons.
The Company has 8 operational boreholes that are located along River Turkwel, 7 No. Boreholes are
electrically driven while 1 No. Borehole is Solar powered.
Production is on average 100,000m3/month.

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DFID MDG/WRP Programme

LOWASCO has 1,600m3 of storage capacity.

The reticulation system has approximately 170km of pipeline ranging from 32mm to 200mm both GI
and uPVC.
The reticulation system is divided into two zones and 8 sub-zones.
It has 32 water kiosks and 4,700 Individual Connections (ICs). Only 28 kiosks are functioning at the
moment.
LOWASCO serves both the commercial customers and institutions besides the ICs.

ASSIGNMENT
1. To survey and produce a topographical map of the LOWASCO water distribution network including
the location of all infrastructure i.e. BH, pipeline routes (size, class and lengths, road crossings etc),
storage facilities, water kiosks, air valves, gate valves, washouts, boundary of supply zones,
proposed pipe extensions and any other assignment that will be agreed upon.
2. Deliver the survey data in formats that Oxfam/LOWASCO can be able to utilise (data should be
opened preferably with Microsoft office suite and other reliable open source applications).The map
should be multi layered.
3. Oxfam/LOWASCO intend to map all individual connections, this information should be

also be mapped alongside the information listed in No. 1 above.

4. Deliver all data in both hardcopy and softcopy (survey data, pipeline profiles and maps).

This information has to be validated in a workshop and approved by government.

LOCATION
The project area is Lodwar town in Turkana County.
METHODOLOGY
i)

Undertake a reconnaissance and route survey to identify the water pipeline to be surveyed.

ii)

Establishing permanent benchmarks

iii)

Establishing horizontal and vertical controls

iv)

Set out control and traverse points for the pipeline survey works in the project area tied with
reference to the national grid.

v)

Survey all the pipeline network in the town, provide profiles and route plans showing all structures
and salient physical features along the routes, including roads, buildings, services, etc.

vi)

Carry out other necessary survey as may be identified and required on site.

vii)

Identifying all land parcels, physical features, including buildings (permanent), roads and other
structures that falls within the pipeline way leave that may be affected by normal repair works on the
pipeline for purpose of temporary easement.

viii)

Over lay the survey data on cadastral maps (if available) to reflect and reflect information on
easement required, land parcel number and any other relevant information.

ix)

Overlay the survey data on topographical map of the area

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REPORTING TO:
While carrying-out the actual fieldwork, the consultant will be directly supervised by the Public Health
Engineer (PHE) based in Turkana.
In Nairobi, the consultant will report to the Roving WASH advisor and in his absence to any of the WASH
team members.
EXPECTED OUTPUT
Submit all the survey data at the end of the survey work. This will include:
i)

A map of the pipeline routes location using cadastral and topographical maps or satellite image.
Survey maps shall be plotted at suitable scale and contour interval to be agreed with the client. An
Index Map (Single Chart) showing entire area of survey and the physical features mentioned above
shall also be prepared and submitted in 10 hardcopies (preferably A0 and A1 sizes) along with soft
copy as specified.

ii)

Pipeline route profiles.

iii)

Pipeline parameters covering; Diameter(s), Material, Class, Length, Depth and Age (if possible)

iv)

Above ground facilities physical dimensions and construction materials for surface facilities along
the pipeline route including information on pipeline markers.

v)

The location of boreholes, pump stations, storage tanks, control valves (isolation points), off-take
valves, and any other project facilities and linkages to existing water supply infrastructure.

vi)

Easement widths and access requirements along the route, including the use of existing areas of
disturbance for pipeline access and future maintenance.

vii)

Final Report with items i-vi above. Three hardcopies of the report and a softcopy should be
submitted.

TIMEFRAME
The study shall be initiated in September 2014 and the consultant will submit draft report by 30th October
2014.
REQUIREMENTS
The consultant must be registered by the relevant Kenyan authorities
The Consultant shall present a list of similar previous work done
Posses necessary resources to undertake works of such a magnitude including equipment (this will
be inspected before signing of contract), personnel etc
Submit a detailed technical proposal including proposed methodologies, data analysis and
interpretation, reports and work schedule.
Tax compliance certificate is a must.
Meet the requirement of leadership and integrity act as stipulated in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

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ROLES
Consultant:
The consultant shall be responsible to undertake the assignment as stipulated in section on ASSIGNMENT
above. It is the sole responsibility of the consultant to deliver the assignment to acceptable standards. He will
be responsible for his personnel and equipment.
Oxfam:
Oxfam will undertake coordination role to ensure that the assignment is undertaken in a timely manner and
that standards are adhered to in the delivery of the assignment. Oxfam will be the link between the
consultant, LOWASCO and the County Government and other stakeholders.
LOWASCO:
Given that LOWASCO is the custodian of infrastructure, they will take the lead role in ensuring that the
consultant delivers on his/her mandate. Lowasco will provide staffs that are conversant with the project area,
the infrastructure, proposed improvement, etc.
The staff will accompany the consultant at all times, to
ensure that access is provided to all water infrastructure including individual connections.
Lowasco will also show the consultant areas of proposed pipe extension so that they are also surveyed.
Overall, the consultant will greatly depend on the information provided by Lowasco in order to accurately
map out the entire infrastructure in the supply area. Hence Lowasco will play a big role in verifying data
before it can be attached in the final report.
Turkana County Government
Lowasco together with Oxfam will closely work with relevant line ministries to ensure that accurate
information is captured and reported. The line ministries will play a big role towards the production of the
final map. Existing and up to date town maps will be required to accurately overlay the survey information.
Population figures will also be required for each sub-zone, service levels, and other demographic
information.
Overall the County Government through line ministries will play an oversight role as far this assignment is
concerned. The Government will help in validation and dissemination of the final report.
Oxfam and Lowasco will continue to work with the line ministries in the use of the survey information
towards improving service delivery and access to water for the residents of Lodwar town. A task force
comprising of county officers from line ministries, Lowasco and Oxfam will be formed and tasked to
undertake design and implementation of the proposed improvements.
COSTS
The consultant is expected to strictly follow OXFAM GB Kenya Programme Security Guidelines that shall
be provided.
The consultant should submit a technical and financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs including
all relevant legal fees (if any e.g. purchase of maps or imagery), professional fees, equipment costs and any
other relevant costs.

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