Skip to content
paybillke
Utility

THIWASCO water bill (Kenya 2026): paybill, tariff, and failure modes

M-PESA paybill 860100, tariff structure, common bill-shock causes, and what to do about disconnection.

AO
by Reviewed by Michael Mwangi 9 min read Updated 26 August 2026Verified 26 Aug 2026

THIWASCO (Thika Water and Sewerage Company) supplies treated water and, where sewer trunks reach, sewerage services to over 180,000 residents across Thika sub-county. It is a licensed WASREB Water Service Provider (WSP), which means its tariff is approved on a public-consultation cycle and published on wasreb.go.ke. This guide covers exactly how to pay via M-PESA, what to expect on your bill, the three or four things that cause the bill to spike, and how to avoid or reverse disconnection. Cross-verified against the paybillke paybill manifest on 26 August 2026.

Paying via M-PESA (paybill 860100)

  1. Open M-PESA on your phone.
  2. Lipa na M-PESA → Pay Bill.
  3. Business number: 860100.
  4. Account: your THIWASCO account number (6-8 digits, top of your bill).
  5. Amount: total amount due in KES.
  6. Enter M-PESA PIN, confirm.
  7. Save the SMS confirmation. That transaction code is your proof of payment.

Other ways to pay THIWASCO

  • USSD: dial *334# (Safaricom M-PESA menu) and follow the Pay Bill flow with the same business number 860100.
  • Bank transfer: some branches list a bank account. Slower, retain the deposit slip.
  • Cash at office: THIWASCO offices, Kenyatta Highway, Thika. Get an official stamped receipt.
  • Agent: some THIWASCO approved retailers accept cash and issue receipts.

Tariff structure at a glance

THIWASCO uses a WASREB block tariff for domestic consumers: lifeline consumption is priced below cost to protect low-income households, and rates rise as consumption climbs. Indicative bands (verify against the current approved schedule):

  • 0-6 m³ (lifeline), roughly KES 55 per m³
  • 7-20 m³, roughly KES 85 per m³
  • 21-60 m³, roughly KES 115 per m³
  • Over 60 m³, roughly KES 155 per m³

Sewer surcharge is typically 70 percent of the water charge if you are connected. A standing meter charge of around KES 150 per month applies. For the detailed rate table see the THIWASCO tariff explained page or run the numbers on the bill calculator.

Why the bill sometimes doubles

A sudden 2x or 3x increase almost always traces back to one of these:

  1. A hidden leak. Close every tap and check the meter dial. If it spins, you have a leak. Silent toilet leaks and buried pipes between meter and house are the two most common culprits.
  2. Estimated bill. When the meter reader cannot access the meter, the utility estimates from your historical average with a buffer. Send a current reading (photograph the meter) to customer care to request re-billing.
  3. Sewer added mid-cycle. If sewer connection completed during the month, you may see the sewer surcharge appear for the first time on this bill.
  4. Arrears rolled up. If a prior payment did not reconcile (wrong account number is the usual cause), that month plus the current month land together.

Detailed playbook: Water bill shock: what to do in Kenya.

What happens when you fall behind

THIWASCO typically disconnects after about 60 days of unpaid bills, sometimes sooner on high-value commercial accounts. Reconnection requires:

  • Full payment of the outstanding balance, or an agreed payment plan.
  • A reconnection fee, generally KES 1,500 to 3,000 depending on class.
  • A field visit from a plumber, physically restored within 24 to 72 hours.

Engage early. If you cannot pay in full, walk into THIWASCO offices, Kenyatta Highway, Thika and propose a written payment plan. Utilities regulated by WASREB are required to consider genuine hardship cases and cannot cut off service without notice.

Prepaid meters

THIWASCO has been progressively rolling out prepaid meters in tenant-heavy estates. With prepaid you buy water credit via paybill 860100 in advance, the meter runs the credit down, and it self-disconnects when the balance hits zero (no reconnection fee). Ask at THIWASCO offices, Kenyatta Highway, Thika whether prepaid is available for your supply zone. Install fees typically run KES 4,500 to 7,000.

Common THIWASCO payment mistakes

  1. Confusing the business number with a similar one. Triple-check 860100 before sending.
  2. Using the meter number as the account number. They are different fields on the bill.
  3. Paying to a former tenant's account. Update the account holder record at the office when you move in.
  4. Not saving the M-PESA SMS. If the payment does not reconcile, that SMS is your only proof.

FAQ

What is the THIWASCO M-PESA paybill?

860100. Use your THIWASCO account number as the account.

How long does THIWASCO take to credit my payment?

Usually within an hour. Up to 24 hours in some cases. Contact customer care on 0709 999 100 with your M-PESA transaction code if it does not reflect.

Where do I find my account number?

Printed at the top of every THIWASCO bill. Lost the bill: SMS the meter number to customer care or walk into THIWASCO offices, Kenyatta Highway, Thika with ID.

Is the tariff on this page current?

The bands are indicative. WASREB reviews tariffs on public-consultation cycles. Verify the current schedule on wasreb.go.ke or your latest THIWASCO bill before disputing.

Resources

Related reading

Curated external sources we cite. Open in a new tab.