More than 369,000 Rwandans have benefited from improved water and sanitation services through the five-year U.S-funded Isoko y'Ubuzima project, which has supported communities across 15 districts since 2021, according to data from its implementers.

Implemented by a consortium led by Water For People together with IRC WASH, CARE, VEI and AEE, the project sought to expand access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services while improving service delivery and strengthening local capacity.

Project results show that 143,329 people gained access to basic drinking water services, surpassing the initial target of 120,000.

Also 225,916 people received improved service quality from existing water systems, while 119,262 people gained access to basic sanitation services, exceeding the target of 100,000 people.

The achievements were presented during the project's closeout ceremony held in Kigali on Wednesday, June 24.

The project further strengthened 21 water and sanitation institutions, improved WASH services in 67 schools and health facilities, trained 2,600 frontline healthcare workers on infection prevention and control, and supported 33 health facilities with water and sanitation improvements.

Speaking at the event, the Water For People Rwanda Country Director Eugene Dusingizumuremyi said the project had transformed access to essential services while creating a foundation for sustainable management of water and sanitation infrastructure.

"When we embarked on this five-year journey, it felt like an ambitious dream. Today, we are not simply marking the end of a project, but celebrating improved health, economic development, and resilient communities," he said.

Dusingizumuremyi observed that the initiative helped improve governance, support private water operators, expand sanitation markets and equip local actors with skills needed to sustain services.

Technology cuts water losses, boosts efficiency

One of the project's notable achievements was reducing water losses in rural supply systems.

Through GIS mapping, leak detection technologies, improved monitoring and community engagement, average non-revenue water across pilot systems fell from 69 per cent at baseline to about 38 per cent by November 2025.

In Rwamagana District's Fumbwe-Gahengeri water supply system, water losses dropped from 65 per cent to 15 per cent, representing a major improvement in water resource management.

The project also introduced a Customer Management System that digitized customer registration, billing and revenue collection for rural water operators.

Through the platform, operators billed more than Rwf9.2 billion and collected Rwf7.3 billion, representing an average collection efficiency of 80 per cent.

Millions of US dollars mobilised for future WASH investments

In addition, the initiative helped mobilize more than $8.15 million in future WASH investments through engineering designs and district investment plans developed across the intervention areas.

Ms. Valerie Koscelnik, Public Health Advisor for Rwanda and Burundi who represented the U.S. Embassy in Kigali said the project's impact would continue to be felt long after its conclusion.

"Over 369,000 people now have improved access to water services, while more than 119,000 people have improved access to sanitation. This is not only access for today, but access built on systems designed to remain sustainable into the future," she said.

She noted that reliable water and sanitation services contribute to better health outcomes, increased productivity and stronger communities.

Building stronger, healthier communities

To improve sanitation services, the project established 10 district sanitation centers and 127 community sanitation showrooms while training 704 masons and sales agents to provide sanitation products and installation services.

More than 26,000 SATO toilet units were purchased by households in the intervention districts.

The project also supported Rwanda's response to the Marburg Virus Disease outbreak through improvements in WASH infrastructure, handwashing facilities and infection prevention measures in health facilities and public spaces.

Albert Tuyishime, the Head of Disease Prevention and Control at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), said the initiative complemented national efforts to contain the outbreak.

"The U.S government injected additional resources during the Marburg outbreak, which strengthened our response efforts and supported preventive measures,” Tuyishime said.

"The investments made through this project will continue contributing to stronger public health preparedness.”

Gemma Maniraruta, the Director General of Water and Sanitation at the Ministry of Infrastructure, said the project helped communities improve both access to water and sanitation standards.

"This project helped citizens understand what constitutes a standard toilet and enabled them to access the required materials. The responsibility now is to maintain and build on those achievements," she said.

At the local level, Benjamine Mukunduhirwe, Vice Mayor in Charge of Social Affairs in Ngororero District, said the project helped change attitudes towards hygiene and sanitation.

"The hygiene equipment were brought closer to citizens, and together we established local systems and trained professionals who continue supporting communities. People now better understand their role in maintaining hygiene and preserving what has been achieved," he said.

Mukunduhirwe added that improved hygiene practices are contributing to broader efforts to combat malnutrition and sanitation-related illnesses.

Mukangarambe Goderiva, a resident of Rwamagana District, shares how having an improved toilet has boosted her confidence and enhanced her daily life.

"I used to have a toilet made of wooden trunks with a piece of cloth serving as the door. I was never proud to use it or let my visitors see it. One day, I saw a SATO Pan toilet at a sanitation centre and immediately liked it, but I believed it was beyond my financial reach," she said.

"Later, I met a sales agent trained by the Isoko y'Ubuzima Project, who encouraged us to borrow through our Village Savings and Lending Association (VSLA). With that support, I was able to purchase the SATO Pan toilet. A mason installed it for me, and now I use my toilet with confidence. I no longer feel embarrassed I am proud to welcome visitors into my home without any shame."

Bruce Uwonkunda, the Chief of Party of the Isoko y’Ubuzima project, said the initiative demonstrated how coordinated investments can create lasting benefits for communities.

"Beyond expanding access to water and sanitation, the project strengthened local institutions, improved service delivery, and created opportunities for businesses and communities to sustain these gains in the years ahead,” he said.