Meru county government is in the process of drilling 100 boreholes in the seven sub counties in line with Governor Kiraitu Murungi’s pledge to sink 500 boreholes in five years. Out of the 100 boreholes to be drilled this year, Imenti Central will get eight, Imenti North eight, Imenti South, seven, Tigania East 10, Tigania West 15, Buuri 12, Igembe South 10, Igembe Central 15, while Igembe North will have 15. The county intends to connect each of the boreholes to nearby households as well as through free public water kiosks. "Tendering process has been done and the drilling will begin once the rains subside. The selected sites have already been handed over to contractors," water and irrigation executive Misheck Mutuma assured. Communities served by each borehole are expected to form water management committees to oversee maintenance of the water sources. In the current financial year, the county government reviewed the budget to set aside Sh700million towards water provision. The county is also partnering with other stakeholders like Tana Water Services and the Kenya Red Cross in the construction of dams and water pans. Mr Mutuma said hydrologists have identified eight suitable sites for dam construction in the county which once complete will alleviate water shortage in Meru. Construction of three dams is on course with the contractors for Kianjuri Dam in Imenti North, Thangatha Dam in Tigania East and Ura 4 Dam in Igembe South having been identified. The projected cost for the three dams is Sh30 million, Sh40 million and Sh30 million respectively. "We are using the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) technology to identify where the water dams and pans will be sited," said the county water executive. The government is partnering with Smallholder Irrigation Program Mount Kenya region (SIPMK) in selecting the projects set to benefit from water catchments. Already, Makutano- Nkanga and the Muguna-Muungano Water Projects in Igembe Central and Imenti North respectively have been identified for funding. Water Pans To enhance access to water in the semi-arid parts of Meru, the County Government is engaging Tana Water Services and the National Government and Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) to fund construction of 400 water pans and irrigation projects. This financial year, the county government is financing piping works in Gakuui Mweru, Iraru, Tumu Tumu and Mutethia Water Projects. Governor Murungi started implementing the Meru County Water Act 2014 which established the Meru County Urban Water and Sanitation services Corporation for efficient service delivery. "My number one priority as Governor of Meru County is to provide water to all the people of Meru both in urban and rural areas. I want to be remembered for providing water everywhere," the governor said. The implementation of this law will see Meru Water and Sewerage Services (Mewass) and Imetha Water and Sewerage Company abolished and run by the corporation. "As the rains subside, some of the key projects that were on hold will resume and the official launch of the borehole program is scheduled for the first week of June 2018." Added Mr Mutuma.