WATSAN 2026

5th National Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Skills Competition 2026
Theme: Skills and Innovation for Resilient Water and Sanitation Future
Date
23rd–27th
November 2026
Venue
KEWI Main Campus,
South C, Nairobi
Anchor Event
38th KEWI Graduation Ceremony,
27th November 2026

About the 5th National Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Skills Competition 2026

Objectives of the Competition
- Demonstrate and assess practical competencies in water and sanitation operations
- Benchmark sector skills against national and international best practices
- Promote innovation, creativity and technological application
- Identify and recognize outstanding water and sanitation talent
- Promote safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable work practices
- Enhance participation of women and youth in technical careers
- Generate recommendations for continuous improvement of skills development
- Foster collaboration among WSPs, learning institutions, industry and partners

Competition Skill Areas - Click or tap to open

Competition Categories
KEWI Junior Water Awareness Programme (Click or tap to view each tab)
About the programme
Entry requirements
Tasks
Pupils complete one worksheet task at each station:
| Station | What pupils observe | Pupil task |
|---|---|---|
| A: Getting Ready Safely | A candidate putting on PPE and checking tools | Tick the safety items worn (gloves, goggles, apron) |
| B: Telling the Community | A candidate making a poster and practising a spoken message | Circle the single most important message |
| C: Testing the Water | A candidate using a test strip, tube or tablet | Match the test kit to what it measures |
| D: Powering the Pump | A candidate building a battery, switch and motor circuit | Label the three main circuit parts |
| E: Building a Filter | A candidate layering cloth, sand, gravel and charcoal in a bottle | Put the filter layers in the correct order |
| F: Recording the Results | A candidate entering results into a tablet or laptop | Count the results entered and write the number |
| G: Writing It Down | A candidate keeping a written logbook | Write one sentence about what you noticed |
At the end there is a group debrief where each pupil can share one thing that surprised them.
Application deadline
KEWI Senior Water Technology Skills Challenge
For Senior School learners aged 14-18. Tap a heading to open and view each tab.
Category
Information about the category
Entry requirements
Tasks (7 modules, 100 marks)
| Module | Marks | Time | Main tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: Work Organisation and Safety | 10 | 30 min | Check the kit, put on PPE, complete the Risk Assessment Worksheet, tidy the station, and clean up at the end |
| B: Communication | 10 | 45 min | Pick the 3 key points, design an A3 poster or leaflet, and give a 2-minute spoken hand-over to the assessor |
| C: Water Quality Field Testing | 20 | 60 min | Test 2 samples (borehole and rainwater tank) for pH, turbidity and residual chlorine, then mark Pass/Fail against guidelines |
| D: Low-Voltage Electrical Circuit | 10 | 45 min | Build a battery, switch and DC motor/pump circuit on a breadboard, test it, and sketch the diagram |
| E: Mechanical Filtration Build | 15 | 45 min | Layer cloth, gravel, sand and charcoal in a cut bottle, filter turbid water, compare before and after, and explain each layer |
| F: Digital Data Logging | 15 | 40 min | Enter Module C results in a spreadsheet template, compare the samples with a formula or chart, and save the file under the given name |
| G: Documentation and Reflection | 5 | Ongoing + 15 min | Keep the Learner Logbook and write a 3-5 sentence reflection |
| H&S conduct | 15 | Whole day | Scored by the assessor as a running observation, not as a separate task |
Application deadline
KEWI National TVET Water Technology Skills Competition, Test Project 2026
For TVET Certificate/Diploma candidates. Tap a heading to open and view each tab.
Category
Information about the category
Entry requirements
Tasks (8 modules, 100 marks)
| Module | Area | Marks | Main tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Work organisation and management | 10 | Check equipment, wear PPE, prepare a job plan, arrange the workstation, and restore equipment after each task |
| 2 | Communication and interpersonal skills | 5 | Write a technical summary, explain the pump work in plain language, and answer two assessor questions (30 min) |
| 3 | Health and safety | 10 | Complete a task-specific risk assessment, use PPE correctly, handle chemicals, chlorine, the PPR welder and pump safely, and keep the area dry and orderly |
| 4 | Environment protection and sustainability | 10 | Calculate coagulant and chlorine doses, segregate waste, run a static pressure-hold water-loss check, state a chlorine spill response, and apply waste-reduction measures |
| 5 | Water quality analysis | 10 | Label samples, calibrate instruments, then measure pH, turbidity, colour, temperature and chlorine, and record and interpret the results |
| 6 | Water treatment | 20 | 6A (12 marks): Six-beaker jar test: dose, mix, settle, measure, and justify the best condition. 6B (8 marks): Chlorination: dose with the TenSette pipet, allow contact time, measure residual chlorine, and select the acceptable condition |
| 7 | Pump installation and PPR pipework | 20 | Inspect components, plan the flow, cut and weld PPR pipe, install the non-return valve, meter, gauge and gate valve, connect the pump, leak-test, and correct an assessor-introduced fault |
| 8 | Instrumentation, manual control and documentation | 15 | Read the gauge and meter and calculate flow rate, regulate manually with the gate valve to the target band, record three valve settings, keep the logbook, and submit a final report (20 min) |
Application deadline
5th National WATSAN Skills and Innovation Competition 2026: University Challenge
For undergraduate engineering students. Tap a heading to open and view each tab.
Category
Information about the category
Entry requirements
Tasks and timeline
| Date | Task |
|---|---|
| 7 Oct 2026 | Call released with the 8 streams and design guidelines |
| 20 Oct | Submit registration form and 300-word abstract |
| 21-23 Oct | Pre-qualification screening; approved teams start full design modelling |
| 13 Nov | Submit the Comprehensive Design Package: technical report, engineering calculations and dynamic software models |
| 16-19 Nov | Desktop review by the WASPA/WIWAS expert panel to shortlist finalists |
| 20 Nov | Finalists notified |
| 24-27 Nov | Live Arena Defense at KEWI Main Campus, alongside the 38th KEWI Graduation |
Application deadline
KEWI National TVET Skills Competition 2026
Water Technology: Water Quality, Treatment and Pump Systems
Test your skills as a Water Technician. Analyse, treat and disinfect water, then install and test a small pump-and-pipe system. All in two days, all hands-on.
Category of participants
This category is for TVET students who are learning to work with water: its quality, its treatment and its movement through pipes.
Who should enter
TVET certificate and diploma students in:
Water TechnologyWastewater TechnologyPlumbingRelated technical programmes
The project follows the Kenya TVET CBET framework and the WorldSkills Occupational Standards for Water Technology (Lyon 2024 edition).
Format
An individual practical competition. You work alone at your own station.
How you work
- Individual candidate, one station each
- Practical tasks, with written records and a short oral briefing
- Marked on observable performance only
Ranking
Final ranking is by total marks out of 100 among candidates who complete the competition. You also receive the C / NYC decision.
Your station equipment
Duration
Two competition days, about 13 hours of scheduled working time. Day 1 is the water. Day 2 is the pump.
Project modules
Eight modules, 100 marks. Select a module to see what you will be asked to do.
1Work organisation and management
10 marks
Organise your workstation, sequence the work, and manage tools, samples and time.
- Check issued equipment against the station list
- Wear the right PPE before handling samples or chemicals
- Prepare a job plan: analysis, jar test, chlorination, pump work
- Keep the station tidy and restore equipment after each task
2Communication and interpersonal skills
5 marks · 30 min
- Write a short technical summary of your findings and treatment decision
- Explain your pump work and test result in clear, non-technical language
- Answer two assessor questions on why you chose your methods
3Health and safety
10 marks
Work safely throughout. A critical safety failure results in Not Yet Competent.
- Complete a risk assessment before practical work (chemicals, chlorine, glassware, pump, manual handling)
- Use PPE correctly for each task
- Handle chemicals and chlorine following the safety data sheet
- Use the PPR welding machine, tools and pump safely; confirm pump isolation, and wait for the assessor's release before energising
- Keep your area dry, clear and orderly
4Environment protection and sustainability
10 marks
- Calculate coagulant and chlorine volumes from stock concentrations, and record them before dosing
- Segregate and dispose of chemical water, rinse water, used samples and PPR offcuts
- Run a timed static pressure-hold check; use the meter and gauge to detect and locate water loss
- Explain how a chlorine spill would be contained and reported
- Name two ways to reduce waste and apply at least one
5Water quality analysis
10 marks
Measure and interpret the supplied samples against limits the assessor provides.
- Label samples; check or calibrate the pH meter; zero the turbidity and colour meters
- Measure pH, turbidity, apparent colour and temperature; check chlorine where applicable
- Record results with correct units and flag anything outside the acceptance range
6Water treatment: jar test and chlorination
20 marks
6A Jar-test optimisation · 12 marks
- Prepare six 250 mL beakers and dose them accurately
- Run the gang stirrer on the set rapid-mix and slow-mix sequence
- Observe floc formation and settling, then measure the result
- Pick the best condition and justify it
6B Chlorination and disinfection · 8 marks
- Prepare six 118 mL bottles and dose with the TenSette pipet
- Mix on the stir plate, then time the contact period
- Read residual chlorine with the comparator and choose the acceptable condition
- Explain why contact time and dose control matter
7Pump installation and PPR pipework
20 marks
- Inspect all components and plan the flow direction
- Measure, cut and weld PPR pipe into sound joints
- Fit the non-return valve (correct direction), water meter, pressure gauge and gate valve
- Connect the submersible pump securely
- Test for leaks, abnormal pressure or wrong flow
- Find and correct one assessor-introduced fault
- Leave the installation secure and orderly
No electrical wiring or electrical fault-finding is assessed.
8Instrumentation, manual control and documentation
15 marks
- Read the gauge and meter at set intervals and calculate flow rate (volume ÷ time)
- Use the gate valve to reach the assessor's target pressure or flow band
- Record pressure and flow at three valve settings (fully open, partly closed, throttled) and comment on system behaviour
- Keep your logbook and recording sheets up to date
- Submit a concise final report with conclusions and recommendations (20 minutes, Day 2)
How it works
How it works
- Call for participation
- Registration
- Pre-qualification and selection
- Technical briefing
- Practical competition
- Assessment and scoring
- Verification of results
- Awards and recognition
- Post-competition review
How entries are assessed
How entries are assessed
Competitors are assessed against standardized, competency-based criteria:
- Technical competence and practical performance
- Accuracy and quality of work
- Occupational health and safety
- Innovation and problem-solving
- Time management
- Teamwork and professionalism
- Adherence to procedures
Independent judges and assessors are appointed and oriented to ensure fairness, consistency, transparency and credibility.
Pathway to WorldSkills
Pathway to WorldSkills
The competition is progressively aligning with the WorldSkills approach, using occupational standards, practical test projects, clear assessment criteria and independent assessment.
Pathway: institutional and sector competitions, then the National WATSAN Skills Competition, then national benchmarking and talent identification, then WorldSkills Africa and WorldSkills International opportunities. Participation is coordinated through the WorldSkills Kenya national member arrangements.
What the competition delivers
What the competition delivers
- A national platform for water and sanitation skills development
- Improved practical competencies and recognition of outstanding talent
- Greater innovation and technology adoption, with an innovation exhibition
- Stronger partnerships between industry and training institutions
- Greater visibility of women and youth in the sector
- Recommendations for curriculum and workplace skills
Partners and sponsorship
Partners and sponsorship
The competition is a collaboration among the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, KEWI, WASPA, WIWAS, Water Service Providers, training institutions, development partners and the private sector.
Partnership opportunities include technology, institutional support, branding, media and communication, and gender inclusivity.
For registration and partnership enquiries, contact KEWI.