Rwanda’s non-revenue water rate has declined to 30 per cent, down from 45 per cent, as the government steps up efforts to repair ageing pipes, detect leakages and improve water distribution.

Non-revenue water refers to water produced and distributed but not billed to customers because of leakages, inaccurate meters, theft and other inefficiencies.

Armand Zingiro, the state minister for infrastructure, told MPs on Tuesday, October 20, that non-revenue water had declined from 45 per cent to 36 per cent over last year, with the rate reaching 30 per cent in the first quarter of this year.

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Zingiro identified ageing pipes, undersized water channels, old meters and staff shortages among the factors contributing to water losses.

"We are continuing to rehabilitate old water channels, which remain one of the main causes of water losses,” he told MPs.

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The cost of unbilled water

The reduction comes as water losses continue to affect the finances of Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC).

According to the Auditor General’s 2025 report, WASAC produced about 85.75 million cubic metres of water but billed customers for only 53.33 million cubic metres, equivalent to 62.2 per cent of production.

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The Auditor General estimated the unbilled water was worth Rwf10.4 billion, calculated at the minimum tariff of Rwf323 per cubic metre.

The report warned that unbilled water deprived WASAC of revenue needed to support its operations and recommended that the utility develop strategies to minimise the losses.

Replacing old pipes

Zingiro said WASAC planned to replace 30 kilometres of water pipes this year. The utility is also equipping its branches in Kigali to speed up repairs when pipes are damaged.

The government is introducing performance-based contracts and using satellite images to identify leaks in the distribution network.

These measures are intended to reduce losses and ensure that more of the water produced reaches consumers.

MPs raise concerns over water supply

Despite the reported progress in reducing water losses, MPs raised concerns about unreliable supply in some areas and the impact of shortages on residents.

MP Christine Mukabunani questioned how people could maintain hygiene without reliable access to water.

"We continue to urge people to maintain hygiene, but how can they do that without water?” she asked.

Zingiro said Kigali continued to face a gap between water demand and supply. He told MPs that the city required about 210,000 cubic metres of water daily, against a reported shortfall of approximately 70,000 cubic metres.

The government is pursuing projects to increase production, including interventions at Nzove and Kanzenze, alongside the planned Nyabarongo II project.

The measures, he said, form part of broader efforts to improve water supply and achieve universal access under the second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).