Residents of Gataraga Sector in Musanze District have appealed for access to clean water, saying they have been reduced to using muddy water from Mutobo River.

The residents said neighbouring sectors of the district get clean water while their appeal to leaders have gone unanswered.

The residents said they have to trek long distances to neighbouring sectors to get clean water.

The river from where they fetch water that is contaminated by people who wash clothes, children who swim and other various activities which makes water a health hazard.

"We used to fetch this kind of water since I was young, it is a kind of water I grew up drinking and we use it for various activities. We have no choice,” said a resident who only identified himself as Habimana.

Habimana said over the years, they have complained about the water problem but local leaders have turned a deaf ear.

"I think it is because we have this river, they (local leaders) believe we have water,” he said.

Ironically, it is from the river in their midst that water supplied to Musanze town is pumped.

Another resident, Angelique Furaha, said they have no choice but to use the dirty water to survive.

"What is annoying is that they said this water can be treated to make it safe. You can’t imagine all kinds of diseases our children have suffered because of the unclean water,” she says.

When contacted, Vincent Ndayambaje, the Musanze vice mayor in charge of social affairs, said with partners they are going to do ensure that clean water availed.

"We are aware of the problem which affects all residents in the area (the whole sector) but we are ready to deal with it through working with our partners,” Ndayambaje said.

"We are going to conduct a study to establish all the requirements to avail clean water before we can start the works.”

He urged the residents to boil the water they get from river before they drink it or use it to avoid contracting diseases.

More than 70 per cent of Rwandans have access to clean water and it is expected by 2017, the whole population will have access to clean water.