Water Guide
Your Guide to Safe Drinking Water in Kenya
By the MiMaji Team
Water is life. It's the first thing a newborn needs, the foundation of every meal we cook, the quiet backbone of every healthy family. Yet for millions of Kenyans, the simple act of turning on a tap and trusting what comes out is still not a reality.
We started MiMaji because we believe that no one should have to wonder whether the water they're drinking is safe. Not a mother in Kibera, not a student in Westlands, not a family in Kitengela. This guide is our way of putting that knowledge in your hands, because when you understand your water, you can protect the people you love.
Why Water Quality Matters in Nairobi
Nairobi faces a chronic gap between water demand and supply. When piped water runs dry, many households turn to vendors, boreholes, kiosks, or tankers, sources whose quality can vary widely. Contaminated water remains one of the leading causes of preventable illness in the city, particularly typhoid, cholera, and dysentery. Knowing how to assess water quality puts the power back in your hands.
The Six Key Measures of Water Safety
How to Protect Yourself
At Home
Store water properly
Use clean, food-grade containers with lids. Never store drinking water in containers previously used for chemicals, fuel, or non-food liquids. Keep containers off the ground and away from direct sunlight.
Boil if in doubt
Bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute kills virtually all disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Let it cool naturally in a covered container.
Consider a filter
Ceramic filters (KSh 2,000 to 5,000), activated carbon filters, and reverse osmosis systems (KSh 15,000 to 50,000+) each offer different levels of protection. Reverse osmosis is the most comprehensive, removing bacteria, dissolved minerals, fluoride, and heavy metals.
Clean your tank
If you have a water storage tank, have it professionally cleaned at least twice a year. Bacteria multiply rapidly in stagnant, warm water. A dirty tank can recontaminate even high-quality water.
When Ordering Water
Ask for the source
Reputable suppliers can tell you where their water comes from and what treatment it has undergone. If a vendor cannot or will not answer, consider an alternative.
Check the seal
Delivered jugs and bottles should arrive with an intact, tamper-evident seal. Never accept a container with a broken, loose, or missing seal.
Look for KEBS certification
The Kenya Bureau of Standards issues a Standardisation Mark (SM) to water products that meet national quality requirements. The SM number should be visible on the container label.
Use MiMaji
All suppliers listed on MiMaji hold valid KEBS certification and undergo periodic quality verification. We display supplier ratings, quality badges, and customer reviews so you can order with confidence.
Nairobi Water Quality Standards at a Glance
| Parameter | WHO | KEBS | Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | 0 / 100ml | 0 / 100ml | Any = unsafe |
| Total Coliforms | 0 / 100ml | 0 / 100ml | Contamination risk |
| TDS | < 600 mg/L | ≤ 1,500 mg/L | > 1,000 = unpleasant |
| pH | 6.5 to 8.5 | 6.5 to 8.5 | < 6.5 corrosive |
| Turbidity | < 1 NTU | ≤ 5 NTU | Cloudy = too high |
| Fluoride | ≤ 1.5 mg/L | 1.5 to 3.0 mg/L | Test boreholes |
| Chlorine | 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L | 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L | 0 = no protection |
| Iron | ≤ 0.3 mg/L | ≤ 0.3 mg/L | Rusty colour/taste |
| Nitrates | ≤ 50 mg/L | ≤ 45 mg/L | High in boreholes |
Where to Get Your Water Tested in Nairobi
KEBS Testing Labs
Full drinking water analysis (chemical + microbiological)
Government Chemist
Comprehensive chemical and biological analysis
SGS Kenya
International-standard water testing
University of Nairobi
Research-grade analysis, may accept public samples
Crop Nutrition Labs
Agricultural and water testing
MiMaji's Commitment to Quality
Verified Suppliers Only
Every vendor on MiMaji must hold a valid KEBS Standardisation Mark and active business registration before being listed.
Periodic Quality Checks
We conduct unannounced quality spot-checks on supplier products at least quarterly. Suppliers who fail are immediately suspended.
MiMaji Verified Badge
Suppliers who consistently pass quality testing and maintain a 4.5+ star rating earn our “MiMaji Verified” badge, displayed prominently on their listing.
Customer Protection
If you receive water that tastes off, appears cloudy, or has a broken seal, report it through the app. We will arrange a free replacement or full refund, no questions asked.
Transparent Ratings
Every supplier's customer rating is public. You choose who you trust with your family's water.
MiMaji: Clean Water, One Tap Away
Download the app at mimaji.co.ke
Questions? WhatsApp +254 758 434 076
Your Guide to Safe Drinking Water in Kenya
By the MiMaji Team
Water is life. It's the first thing a newborn needs, the foundation of every meal we cook, the quiet backbone of every healthy family. Yet for millions of Kenyans, the simple act of turning on a tap and trusting what comes out is still not a reality.
We started MiMaji because we believe that no one should have to wonder whether the water they're drinking is safe. Not a mother in Kibera, not a student in Westlands, not a family in Kitengela. This guide is our way of putting that knowledge in your hands, because when you understand your water, you can protect the people you love.
Why Water Quality Matters in Nairobi
Nairobi faces a chronic gap between water demand and supply. When piped water runs dry, many households turn to vendors, boreholes, kiosks, or tankers, sources whose quality can vary widely. Contaminated water remains one of the leading causes of preventable illness in the city, particularly typhoid, cholera, and dysentery. Knowing how to assess water quality puts the power back in your hands.
The Six Key Measures of Water Safety
How to Protect Yourself
At Home
Store water properly
Use clean, food-grade containers with lids. Never store drinking water in containers previously used for chemicals, fuel, or non-food liquids. Keep containers off the ground and away from direct sunlight.
Boil if in doubt
Bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute kills virtually all disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Let it cool naturally in a covered container.
Consider a filter
Ceramic filters (KSh 2,000 to 5,000), activated carbon filters, and reverse osmosis systems (KSh 15,000 to 50,000+) each offer different levels of protection. Reverse osmosis is the most comprehensive, removing bacteria, dissolved minerals, fluoride, and heavy metals.
Clean your tank
If you have a water storage tank, have it professionally cleaned at least twice a year. Bacteria multiply rapidly in stagnant, warm water. A dirty tank can recontaminate even high-quality water.
When Ordering Water
Ask for the source
Reputable suppliers can tell you where their water comes from and what treatment it has undergone. If a vendor cannot or will not answer, consider an alternative.
Check the seal
Delivered jugs and bottles should arrive with an intact, tamper-evident seal. Never accept a container with a broken, loose, or missing seal.
Look for KEBS certification
The Kenya Bureau of Standards issues a Standardisation Mark (SM) to water products that meet national quality requirements. The SM number should be visible on the container label.
Use MiMaji
All suppliers listed on MiMaji hold valid KEBS certification and undergo periodic quality verification. We display supplier ratings, quality badges, and customer reviews so you can order with confidence.
Nairobi Water Quality Standards at a Glance
| Parameter | WHO | KEBS | Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | 0 / 100ml | 0 / 100ml | Any = unsafe |
| Total Coliforms | 0 / 100ml | 0 / 100ml | Contamination risk |
| TDS | < 600 mg/L | ≤ 1,500 mg/L | > 1,000 = unpleasant |
| pH | 6.5 to 8.5 | 6.5 to 8.5 | < 6.5 corrosive |
| Turbidity | < 1 NTU | ≤ 5 NTU | Cloudy = too high |
| Fluoride | ≤ 1.5 mg/L | 1.5 to 3.0 mg/L | Test boreholes |
| Chlorine | 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L | 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L | 0 = no protection |
| Iron | ≤ 0.3 mg/L | ≤ 0.3 mg/L | Rusty colour/taste |
| Nitrates | ≤ 50 mg/L | ≤ 45 mg/L | High in boreholes |
Where to Get Your Water Tested in Nairobi
KEBS Testing Labs
Full drinking water analysis (chemical + microbiological)
Government Chemist
Comprehensive chemical and biological analysis
SGS Kenya
International-standard water testing
University of Nairobi
Research-grade analysis, may accept public samples
Crop Nutrition Labs
Agricultural and water testing
MiMaji's Commitment to Quality
Verified Suppliers Only
Every vendor on MiMaji must hold a valid KEBS Standardisation Mark and active business registration before being listed.
Periodic Quality Checks
We conduct unannounced quality spot-checks on supplier products at least quarterly. Suppliers who fail are immediately suspended.
MiMaji Verified Badge
Suppliers who consistently pass quality testing and maintain a 4.5+ star rating earn our “MiMaji Verified” badge, displayed prominently on their listing.
Customer Protection
If you receive water that tastes off, appears cloudy, or has a broken seal, report it through the app. We will arrange a free replacement or full refund, no questions asked.
Transparent Ratings
Every supplier's customer rating is public. You choose who you trust with your family's water.
MiMaji: Clean Water, One Tap Away
Download the app at mimaji.co.ke
Questions? WhatsApp +254 758 434 076