Water and Sanitation Corporation Ltd (WASAC) is working on strategic programs to increase e water production, distribution, and performance improvement aimed as provision of quality water and sanitation services in Rwanda. Several projects aimed at improving the quantity and quality of water in urban and rural areas, as well facilitating its customers have been developed and many more are under implementation.

The WASAC Chief Executive Officer, JAMES SANO, explains how capacities are being developed within WASAC to ensure these programs are delivered to enhance competitiveness in terms of financial and commercial viability of the corporation.. The New Times’ Solomon Asaba writes.

TNT: May you briefly explain to us the mandate of WASAC?

JS: The Water and Sanitation Corporation Ltd ( WASAC) is a Corporation established by government of Rwanda to accelerate the achievements of national targets for water supply and sanitation through improved planning and efficient implementation of projects and service delivery to Rwandan Population.

The Corporation has the mandate to implement the Government Policy for water supply and sanitation sector in Rwanda. In implementing the policy, WASAC undertakes the role of developing and implementing projects aimed at increasing access to potable water and sanitation to the Rwandan population, ensuring quality services, while ensuring sustainability of water and sanitation infrastructure and achieving set national targets.

WASAC is the sole operator and service provider of water supply and sewerage services in all urban areas in Rwanda. The Corporation mandated ensures continuous operation and maintenance (production, distribution and service delivery) in 20 branches and 16 treatment plants distributed geographically across the country.  For Sanitatio, WASAC is responsible for providing technical support to local authorities which are responsible for solid waste and storm ( municipal) water management, including the management of landfills as well as overseeing private operators who collect and transports waste in rural areas, the Government has decided  The WASAC CEO, Eng. JAMES C. SANO to delegate projects implementation and operation and maintenance of rural water and sanitation systems to districts, while WASAC will provide technical support and continue to implement complex and high impact projects that are works and capital intensive such as those aimed at supplying water to two or more districts. This decision is aimed at enhancing decentralization at the same time giving WASAC operate in a manner that is commercially viable.