Rwandans should ‘tighten their taps’ as the wait for constant clean water supply is set to continue, according to the water utility body.

This is despite the incessant complaints about irregular water supply from ordinary water users and manufacturers. Officials at Water and Sanitation Corporation (Wasac) revealed earlier this week that Rwandans could get uninterrupted water supply in two years time.

But businesses say irregular water supply is raising operational costs. Only last month, industrialists in the Kicukiro industrial park and in Bugesera District were complaining of irregular water supply, saying it was putting their operations at risk. The situation is worse for industries that depend on water in the daily operations, such as beverage firms.

This could mean operating under capacity and the eventual losses, which could affect the country’s growth. This, therefore, is more reason for Wasac to work overtime and ensure all can access uninterrupted piped clean water sooner than later.

The water utility body needs to urgently put in place mechanisms to end water leakages and wastage to boost its volumes and supply. It should also sensitise industrial water users to adopt new technologies that allow for water recycling, so firms treat and reuse wastewater. This could be expensive but it’s a better option in the long-term.