No more water rationing for Rubavu city residents as they accessed to uninterrupted water supply

Residents of Rubavu city have now uninterrupted water supply following the completion of the project of Rehabilitation, Upgrading and Extension of Water Supply Networks in Rubavu city and it’s Peri-Urban Areas that include some parts of Nyabihu District.

The project was implemented by Water and Sanitation Services Corporation (WASAC) from March 2019 to October 2021 and resulted in the construction of 139 Km pipelines, one reservoir of 1000 m3 capacity, construction of 7 small reservoirs of 230 m3 capacity each, rehabilitation of 11 small reservoirs of 225 m3, 3 pumping stations, construction of 17 public taps, and 6 new water Kiosks, the rehabilitation of 14 public taps and 3 water kiosks and the protection of 4 water sources.

MULINDABIGWI Gilbert, the Head of WASAC - Rubavu Branch, said that residents of Rubavu City made of Rubavu, Gisenyi, Rugerero and Nyamyumba sectors have now full access to clean water and there is no more water rationing in those ereas after water supply increment.

“Unless there is a technical problem that might affect water supply, Rubavu City residents have now uninterrupted water supply. No more water rationing after the rehabilitation, extension of water supply networks and the installation of new reservoirs”, Gilbert said.

He added that Mbugangali and Byahi ereas which have been facing water scarcity have accessed to clean water.

Residents are grateful for the project

NYIRANSABIMANA Theresie, one of the residents of Rugerero sector who manages one of the water kiosks constructed, said that they are grateful for the projects as they have been facing water shortages, especially in dry season.

“Since 2014, we could pass the whole week without water on our public tap or get it some minutes in a week as it was not sufficient. Due to long queues of people at the tap, people used to spend the whole night waiting for water and children could return home without it or miss classes.” She narrates

“Water scarcity issues have been fully addressed. Residents are happy for getting water and our hyigiene has improved as we have enough water for cleaning and washing clothes”, Nyiransabimana added.

Justin Nshimiyimana, the Coordinator of Ubumwe Community Center which assists people with disabilities says that they have been facing water shortage since the establishment of the center in 2005, but through the project, they are now connected.

“It was difficult to find water for cleaning and drinking for our 1500 beneficiaries and our school which has 750 students. We used to spend between 30,000 and 40,000 Rwfs per day budget on buying water to use as we could spend almost a week without water on our taps. We are really thankful for having full access to clean water after water connection”, He said.

Under the project, 500 poor families from the first and second Ubudehe categories were connected to water free of charge. 94-year old Uwamuranga Domina is one of the families that received free water taps.

“I used to beg water to use from my neighbors and I could even spend two days without it. I’m really grateful to our president Paul Kagame for water provision.”, Uwamuranga cited.

The Mayor of Rubavu District, Alphonse Kambogo applauded WASAC’s efforts to expand water supply in Rubavu District, especially in the city.

“There is now enough water in Rubavu City. The rehabilitation of the network increased the supply capacity of Gihira water treatment plant from 800 m3 up to 23000 m3.We request WASAC to expand water supply in other sectors of Rubavu district which don’t have enough water”, Kambogo said .

The Rehabilitation and extension of Water Supply Networks project in Rubavu District and it’s Peri-urban ereas was funded by the African Development Bank under Rwanda Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Program, a program that is aims at improving the quality of life and socio-economic development of the people and country by ensuring equitable provision of adequate, reliable and sustainable water and sanitation services for targeted cities.