ELDOWAS — the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company — supplies treated water and sewerage services to over 200,000 households and businesses across Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County, and surrounding peri-urban areas. Like most Kenyan water companies, ELDOWAS bills monthly based on meter readings and accepts payment primarily through M-PESA. This guide covers the actual mechanics of paying — including the small things that confuse first-time residents and the disconnection avoidance tactics worth knowing.

How to pay step-by-step

Locate your monthly ELDOWAS bill (paper bill or SMS).
Note the "Account Number" on the bill — this is what you'll enter as the account on M-PESA.
Note the amount due.
Open M-PESA → Lipa na M-PESA → Pay Bill.
Enter business number: 511000.
Enter your ELDOWAS account number as the account.
Enter the amount in KES.
Confirm with PIN.
Save the M-PESA SMS — this is your proof of payment.

Where do I find my ELDOWAS account number?

Your ELDOWAS account number is printed at the top of every monthly bill. It's a 6-8 digit number, usually starting with a digit between 0-3. If you've lost the bill, you can:

SMS your meter number to the ELDOWAS customer service line for an account lookup
Visit the ELDOWAS office on Argwings Kodhek Road, Eldoret, with your ID and meter number
Call ELDOWAS customer care: 0712 590 444
Check the ELDOWAS WhatsApp business account if listed on your last bill

The ELDOWAS billing cycle

ELDOWAS reads meters monthly, generates bills, and distributes them to customers within the first two weeks of each month. The typical cycle:

Day 1-7: Meter readers visit and record consumption
Day 8-14: Bills are generated and distributed (paper or SMS)
Day 15-25: Payment window — pay any time during this period
Day 25 onwards: Late fees apply
After 60+ days unpaid: Disconnection notice

ELDOWAS tariff bands

Like most Kenyan water utilities, ELDOWAS charges by consumption band — heavier users pay more per cubic metre. The 2026 tariff structure (subject to confirmation on the official ELDOWAS site) typically follows the WASREB-approved structure:

0-6 cubic metres (lifeline tariff): ~KES 50/m³ — basic household need
7-20 cubic metres: ~KES 75-90/m³
21-60 cubic metres: ~KES 95-120/m³
Over 60 cubic metres: ~KES 130-180/m³ (commercial bracket)

Plus: a fixed monthly meter rent (~KES 100-200), and sewerage charge (typically 60-75% of the water charge if your property is on the sewer network). Garbage collection levy may also be added in some areas.

Meter reading issues

Disputes over meter readings are the most common ELDOWAS billing complaint. Common scenarios:

Unread meter (estimated bill). If the reader couldn't access your meter (locked gate, dog, missed visit), ELDOWAS estimates based on average prior consumption. The estimate often runs high. Take a photo of your current meter reading and send to ELDOWAS to request a re-billing.
Sudden spike. Triple-check your meter for leaks. A toilet running continuously can use 50-100 litres/day, adding KES 200-500/month to your bill. Get a plumber if the meter spins with all taps closed.
Reading not matching your photos. If you photograph your meter monthly and the bill doesn't match, dispute via the ELDOWAS office with your photos as evidence.

Avoiding disconnection

ELDOWAS disconnects accounts that fall 60+ days behind. Reconnection costs:

Reconnection fee: KES 1,000 - 2,500
Outstanding balance must be cleared in full
Field visit to physically reconnect (may take 24-72 hours after payment)

If you can't pay in full, contact ELDOWAS before disconnection — they'll often accept a payment plan with a partial payment up front. Pretending the bill doesn't exist is the worst strategy; engaging proactively is the best.

Prepaid water meters

ELDOWAS, like several Kenyan utilities, has rolled out prepaid meters in some areas of Eldoret. With prepaid:

You buy water credit via paybill 511000 in advance
Meter is debited as you consume
When credit runs out, water cuts off automatically
No surprise bills, no late fees, no disconnection drama

Prepaid is generally preferred by tenants and households on tight budgets. To switch from postpaid to prepaid, apply at the ELDOWAS office — install fee currently around KES 4,000-6,000.

Common payment mistakes

Wrong paybill (e.g. 511100 or 51000). ELDOWAS is exactly 511000. Always triple-check the digit before sending — paybill scams target near-look-alike numbers in the 51xxxx range.
Using meter number as account. The meter number is for technical identification, not billing. Use the account number from the bill.
Paying NAWASSCO instead of ELDOWAS. Different counties have different water companies — NAWASSCO is Nakuru, ELDOWAS is Eldoret. They're not interchangeable.
Payment doesn't reflect after 24 hours. ELDOWAS occasionally has system reconciliation delays. Keep your M-PESA SMS and visit the ELDOWAS office or call customer care if it persists more than 48 hours.

FAQ

What is the ELDOWAS paybill number?

511000. Use your ELDOWAS account number as the account.

How long does it take for payment to reflect?

Usually within an hour. Up to 24 hours for occasional reconciliation delays.

Can I pay multiple months in advance?

Yes — pay the cumulative amount and ELDOWAS credits the surplus to your account. Useful if you're travelling for an extended period and want to keep service active.

I'm a tenant. Whose name is on the ELDOWAS account?

Usually the property owner's. Tenants typically pay the landlord either as part of rent or as a pass-through. If you pay ELDOWAS directly, request a copy of the account details from your landlord and pay using their account number.

Can I pay ELDOWAS from abroad?

Yes — via M-PESA Global, or send M-PESA to a Kenyan family member who pays the local paybill. Many diaspora Eldoret residents keep their parents' or relatives' water active through this route.

How to pay your Eldoret water bill via M-PESA paybill 511000