Water bills confuse people because the price per unit is not flat. The more you use, the higher the band your later units fall into, and there is a sewerage charge and a fixed charge layered on top. Once you know the pieces, you can check your bill yourself instead of taking it on faith.
Step 1: read the meter and find your units
Your meter shows a running total in cubic metres (one cubic metre is 1,000 litres). Your consumption for the month is:
This month's reading minus last month's reading = units used (cubic metres).
So if the meter read 240 last month and 258 this month, you used 18 cubic metres.
Step 2: price the units in bands
Water utilities in Kenya (Nairobi Water, Nakuru's NAWASSCO, Kisumu's KIWASCO, and the rest) charge in rising bands. The first few cubic metres are cheap, and each higher band costs more per unit. Your consumption is split across the bands, not charged entirely at your top band.
For example, on a typical domestic tariff the first 6 cubic metres might be one low rate, the next block a higher rate, and heavy use a higher rate again. To price 18 cubic metres, you charge the first block at its rate, the next block at its rate, and so on, then add them up. Exact band figures vary by utility and are set in each county's tariff, so use your own utility's tariff sheet for the precise rates.
Step 3: add sewerage
If your property is connected to the sewer line, most utilities add a sewerage charge calculated as a percentage of your water consumption charge (often around 75 percent, but it varies by utility). If you are not connected to the sewer, this part does not apply.
Step 4: add the fixed monthly charge
There is usually a small fixed standing charge per meter per month, regardless of use. Add it last.
A worked example
The shortcut
Rather than look up your utility's bands and do it by hand, the water bill calculator does it for you: enter the units used (or the two meter readings) and it returns the bill. It is the fastest way to sanity-check a bill you think looks too high.
Paying the bill
Once you know the figure, pay through your county water company's M-PESA paybill with your account number. See paying water bills in Kenya for the paybill for your town.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my water bill from the meter?
Subtract last month's meter reading from this month's to get units used in cubic metres, price those units across your utility's rising tariff bands, add the sewerage charge (a percentage of consumption where connected), then add the fixed monthly charge.
Why is water not charged at a flat rate?
Kenyan water utilities use rising bands. Your first cubic metres are cheap and later units cost more, so heavy users pay a higher average rate.
What is the sewerage charge on a water bill?
Where your property is connected to the sewer, most utilities add a sewerage charge calculated as a percentage of your water consumption charge, often around 75 percent.
Is there a fixed charge on water bills?
Yes, most utilities add a small fixed standing charge per meter per month, regardless of how much water you use.
Resources
- The water bill calculator is at paybillke.com/calculators/water-bill-calculator.
- See paying water bills in Kenya 2026 for the paybill and account format per county.
Related reading
Curated external sources we cite. Open in a new tab.