The 20-litre water jug is Nairobi’s unofficial unit of survival. Whether you call it a jerrycan, a jug, a drum, or a “twenty,” it is the container that keeps households running when taps fail. But not all 20-litre water jugs are created equal. The water inside them can range from KEBS-certified, lab-tested purity to contaminated borehole runoff that will send your family to the hospital.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to make smart, safe choices when buying water in Nairobi.

Types of 20-Litre Water Available in Nairobi

1. Purified/Treated Water (KEBS-Certified)

This is water that has been processed through a certified treatment system — typically reverse osmosis (RO), UV sterilisation, or a combination — and packaged in sealed, food-grade containers. Suppliers must hold a KEBS Standardization Mark, which requires a Public Health Hygiene License, medical certificates for all staff, a County Business License, and compliance with KS EAS 153 drinking water standards.

Price range: KSh 150–350 per 20L jug. Quality: Highest. Lab-tested, sealed, traceable. Where to find: Supermarkets, water shops, delivery apps like MiMaji.

2. Kiosk/ATM Water

Water dispensed from water kiosks or automated vending machines (water ATMs). These are typically connected to a purification system (RO or UV) and dispense water into your own container. Many kiosks are operated by franchises like Jibu or by NCWSC community standpipes.

Price range: KSh 5–15 per 20L. Quality: Generally good if the kiosk is KEBS-certified. Variable if not. Caveat: Your container must be clean. If you refill a dirty jerrycan, the clean water is immediately contaminated.

3. Borehole Water

Sourced from underground aquifers via drilled boreholes. Quality depends entirely on the geology of the area, the depth of the borehole, proximity to contamination sources (pit latrines, industrial waste), and whether any treatment is applied after extraction.

Price range: KSh 10–30 per 20L from a vendor. Quality: Highly variable. May contain fluoride, nitrates, heavy metals, or bacteria. Should not be consumed without testing.

4. NCWSC Tap Water (Collected and Resold)

Some vendors collect treated water from NCWSC taps during supply hours and resell it during rationing periods. While the source is treated, the collection, storage, and transport methods introduce contamination risk.

Price range: KSh 20–50 per 20L from vendors. Quality: Depends on handling. The water at source is treated; the journey to your door may compromise it.

How to Verify Water Quality: The Consumer’s Checklist

Before you buy water from any supplier, run through this quality checklist:

How to Store Water Safely at Home

Even perfectly clean water can become contaminated if stored improperly. Here are the essential storage rules:

Use only food-grade containers. Never store drinking water in containers that previously held chemicals, fuel, or non-food substances. The residues cannot be fully removed by washing and will leach into the water over time. Food-grade containers are typically marked with a recycling symbol and the number 1 (PET), 2 (HDPE), or 5 (PP).

Keep containers covered and sealed. Open containers invite dust, insects, and airborne bacteria. If using a jerrycan, keep the cap on when not dispensing. If using a bucket or basin for intermediate storage, cover it with a clean cloth or lid.

Replace stored water every 48 to 72 hours. Even treated water can develop bacterial growth after several days in storage, especially in Nairobi’s warm climate. If you are storing water for emergencies, add a small amount of WaterGuard to extend its safe shelf life.

Clean your storage containers regularly. Wash jerrycans and tanks with a dilute chlorine solution (1 teaspoon of bleach per 5 litres of water) at least once a week. Rinse thoroughly before refilling.

Keep water away from sunlight. UV radiation can degrade plastic containers and promote algae growth. Store in a cool, shaded area.

How Much Water Does Your Household Need?

The World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 50 to 100 litres per person per day for all domestic purposes (drinking, cooking, bathing, cleaning, laundry). For a family of four, that translates to 200 to 400 litres per day — or 10 to 20 twenty-litre jugs.

In practice, most Nairobi households use less than the WHO minimum, particularly during shortages. As a practical benchmark:

Note: The “comfortable” figures include bathing, laundry, and cleaning. If you have piped water for non-drinking purposes and only need drinking and cooking water, 2 to 4 jugs per day is typically sufficient for a family of four.

Why MiMaji Is the Smartest Way to Buy Water Jugs

MiMaji eliminates the guesswork from buying water in Nairobi. Every supplier on our platform has been verified against every item on the quality checklist above. You never have to wonder whether your water is safe, whether the price is fair, or whether the container has been properly handled.

Order in seconds through the app. Pay via M-Pesa. Track your delivery in real time. Rate your experience. And know that every single jug meets KEBS standards — because we have already checked so you do not have to.