As water shortages related to the dry season are pushing prices higher, some households are pooling their money to buy water in bulk as a cheaper alternative to purchasing it in small quantities.
Just like in previous dry seasons, water has become scarce in homes and communities, with WASAC Group officials attributing the problem to declining water levels that reduce production at treatment plants.
In Ndera Sector, residents say they are paying more than Rwf700 for a 20-litre jerrycan. To cut costs, households pool their money to buy a seven-cubic-metre tank from the Kimisagara Water Treatment Plant for Rwf100,000.
The tank holds about 350 jerrycans. Buying the same volume individually at Rwf700 per jerrycan would cost about Rwf245,000, meaning residents save around Rwf145,000 by buying in bulk.
In Gisozi, residents of a gated community similarly pool money to buy an eight-cubic-metre tank for about Rwf80,000. At Rwf500 per jerrycan, the same volume would cost about Rwf200,000, giving the households a saving of about Rwf120,000.
Claude Nshimiyimana, who supplies water to households using tanks, said he delivers three to four tanks daily from the Kimisagara plant to various neighbourhoods facing shortages across the city.
What WASAC says
WASAC officials say they are upgrading several water production facilities, including the Nzove Water Treatment Plant. The plant is expected to add 25,000 cubic metres of water to Kigali's daily supply by the end of 2026.
"The upgrade of Nzove will help reduce the gap we are currently experiencing in Kigali,” he said.
The expansion of the Karenge Water Treatment Plant, located on the shores of Lake Mugesera in Rwamagana District, is also expected to improve supply in other areas. Its capacity is expected to rise from 12,000 cubic metres per day to 48,000 cubic metres.
"Once Karenge is completed, it will significantly improve water supply in these areas,” Bimenyimana said.
Beyond Kigali, WASAC says the country's water challenge is also driven by rising demand. National production capacity currently stands at about 367,000 cubic metres per day, while demand is projected to reach 688,000 cubic metres per day.
Bimenyimana said WASAC is using a national master plan to guide investments by identifying areas where demand is expected to rise and where new infrastructure will be needed.
The corporation aims to achieve 100 per cent water supply coverage by 2029 as it expands production capacity and upgrades distribution networks.