A new water treatment plant under construction in Mutobo is expected to significantly improve water supply in Musanze town, according to the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC). The facility, part of the Volcano Belt Water Supply System Project, will have a production capacity of 43,000 cubic meters per day. WASAC anticipates that this will address chronic water shortages in Musanze and extend improved access to neighboring districts, including Burera, Nyabihu, and parts of Rubavu ALSO READ: Unsustainable farming practices threaten soil health in Virunga mountains To ensure reliable service, WASAC is also rehabilitating the existing water treatment plant, which currently has a capacity of 15,000 cubic meters per day. Upon completion, this plant will resolve the water scarcity issues in Musanze and benefit surrounding areas, Robert Bimenyimana, Acting Public Relations and Communication Manager at WASAC Group said. He stressed that the current water delivery relies on a ‘rationing program.’ Bimenyimana acknowledged the challenges of water supply in the northern volcanic districts, particularly in Musanze, a rapidly expanding secondary city. He explained, The town's rapid growth and construction have strained the existing water supply. Water scarcity is especially severe during the dry season when residents rely solely on the WASAC system. This development follows widespread complaints from Musanze residents about prolonged water shortages, with some neighborhoods experiencing disruptions lasting up to six months. There is no water even now, reported Faustin Ndikubwimana, a resident of Giramahoro Village, Mpenge Cell, Muhoza Sector, as of Tuesday, March 18. Water is scarce in the city, particularly in Muhoza. We receive water only once a week, usually in the evenings or early mornings. This problem began in August 2024. Ndikubwimana noted that residents in Rusagara and Giramahoro villages have been without reliable water access for five months. ALSO READ: Virunga mountains threatened by invasive species infiltration This has led to poor sanitation and high costs, with a jerrycan of water costing at least Rwf300. Some residents are forced to use untreated water from the Mpenge River, he said. Imagine spending Rwf1,200 per day on water. There is a need for more water tanks and a clear water distribution schedule. Other residents, including Fabrice Ishimwe and Odette Uwamahoro, echoed these concerns, reporting water shortages lasting three to five months in the Ibereshi rya 6 area, another suburb of Musanze town. I rely on bicycle vendors for drinking water, said Ishimwe. Children are missing classes or arrive late because they have to walk long distances to fetch water from water canals. It's difficult to maintain hygiene, added Uwamahoro. This has affected our livelihoods for three months. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), total water production in 2024 reached 78.3 million cubic meters, up from 73.3 million cubic meters in 2023. The number of water customers increased from 321,115 in 2023 to 357,086 in 2024.
