Major Projects in Rwanda

While the water supply, whether it is through a hand pump or piped system, reaches an average of 71% of the population in Rwanda, water levels are still very fragile in certain areas of the country. In Eastern Province, only 50% have access to water through the water supply. Together with the fact that rainfall in the Province is 25% less than in other parts of Rwanda and many people live in highland areas, access to clean water remains a challenge for its people.

With a request from the Government of Rwanda for the formulation of a water supply plan in Eastern Province, JICA, in close partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), the Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA) and the Eastern Province office, is conducting the Study for Improvement of the Rural Water Supply in Rwanda. In the Province’s seven target districts of Nyagatare, Gatsobo, Kayonza, Rwamagana, Ngoma, Kirehe, and Bugesera, the study aims to formulate a master plan to develop water resources and improve water supply facilities.

• Assessing the current situation of water supply and demand and its potential in the targeted areas through various means including collection, collation and analysis of existing information and surveys on water conditions, quality and resources.
• Formulating a water supply plan based upon the situational assessment.
• Designing ten priority projects to address the challenges identified during the study
• Presenting recommendations on institutional structures and a sanitation promotion system to the local administration in the water and sanitation sector
• Organizing seminar and steering committee meeting

The study was run for fourteen months starting in October 2008 with two phases (the first phase from October 2008-June 2009, and the second phase from July 2009 to December 2009). The process of finalizing the study report is currently in progress.