Residents of Kinyaga Cell, Nkanka sector alongside the shores of Lake Kivu in Rusizi district have attributed the spreading of poor hygiene related diseases like cholera and dysentery to unclean water used from the lake.
Household members that talked to IGIHE said that they use lake water since they do not have access to other sources of safe water and requested local leaders to advocate for improvement of the situation.
Nyiraneza Marie Jeanne, one of the residents revealed that they prefer fetching water from the lake as safe water facilities are far distant from their residences.
“It takes three hours to reach the tap where we can access safe water. As a solution we fetch water from the lake though we all know it’s not very safe,” she said.
They also say such unsafe waters put their lives at risks as they contract diseases related to poor hygiene like cholera and dysentery.
Fidele Nsengimana, the officer in charge of social affairs in Nkanka sector says that the matter of clean water is a general problem being addressed by preparing a canal to distribute clean water in the area.
“The matter exists and is a general case in the sector. We have hope as there is a water canal construction underway expected to be a solution,” he said.
About 69 % of Rusizi citizens get access to safe water.
The new water canal is expected to avail safe water to 56,000 residents in five sectors including Nkanka and extended to some parts of Nyamasheke district and will increase the number of individuals accessing safer water from 69% to 72% at a cost of Rwf 1 billion.
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