Water scarcity in the Eastern Province is set to be addressed within three months following the inauguration of a new joint project between the government of Rwanda and Green Water, a Swedish company.
The CEO of Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC), Sano James said in a press briefing yesterday that the project will provide water treating machines using solar energy to purify water before use.
The Eastern Province has been faced with incessant and episodic water shortages with residents consuming dirty water.
“The water treatment equipment purifying water using solar power will draw water from Akagera River and extend it to villages to reduce the health and wild-animal risks involved,” said Sano.
He explained that the initiative will go a long way in reducing health hazards and avoid risks of encountering wild animals while fetching water from water points.
The Rwf 250 million joint project to which Rwanda will contribute Rwf 70 million with remaining fund to be poured in by Green Water will develop five water treatment centers in Bugesera and five in Nyagatare districts.
Sano explained that the system was adopted taking into account remote areas where availing ordinary infrastructures would be expensive and would take long time to accomplish.
The target of the government of Rwanda is to get all Rwandans access safe water at 100% by 2020 from the current 90% in urban centers and 84% in rural areas. Safe water access from across the country is currently estimated at 85%.
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