President Paul Kagame yesterday inaugurated Nzove 2 water treatment plant which has significantly addressed water shortages in Kigali city over the past weeks.

The plant, which has been running for about three weeks, doubled the production of clean water for the city of Kigali by providing an additional 25,000 cubic meters (m3)/day.

With the population slightly above 1.1 million people and urbanisation at about 9 per cent per year, the City of Kigali has been facing persistent water shortages.

Residents of some city suburbs, who talked to The New Times, said water pressure has been steady and no water shortage has been experienced in some areas of Kicukiro and Nyarugenge districts—where Nzove water plant distributes.

Emelance Mukamunani, a resident of Nyakabanda, Nyamirambo, Kigali city suburb said increased water access has changed her life and that of fellow residents.

At the launch, President Kagame, said this is a significant indicator that 100 percent access to clean water will come to actuality.

Kagame called on leaders to ensure the water treatment facilities are well maintained and citizens are able to benefit from its production.

"Take good care of this infrastructure and take advantage of this opportunity,” Kagame said addressing citizens.

The plant was funded by Government of Rwanda at the tune of $ 7.4m for phase one, and constructed by Culligan International, a US firm.

"There is a lot that is going to be saved and ultimately gained from the expertise of Culligan and their technology in processing of water,” said the President.

Phase two of the project, which includes the expansion of Nzove 1 and 2, will generate extra 30,000m3—consequently bringing water supply in Kigali to 100 percent—with a surplus of 5,000m3.

The second phase, which is due to begin next week, is estimated to be completed in the next nine months, and it will bring a total of 80,000m3 from the entire Nzove project, according to Laurence Bower, President of Culligan International.

Bower also announced that Nzove project has won the best drinking water category award within the Culligan network, beating projects from Russia, Italy, Poland among others.

The construction of Nzove 2 lasted for about 11 months.

President Kagame said such infrastructure would go a long way in reducing water costs in the city, and the nation in general.

Infrastructure Minister James Musoni noted that Nzove 2 has eased water shortage in the city suburbs of Nyamirambo, Gikondo, Kabeza, Kicukiro, Kagarama, Samuduha and Busanza.

Musoni also added that Nzove 2 was relatively cheaper compared to the other water projects the government has engaged in.

"On operational cost, we will have cost saving equivalent to $936, 000 per year because of the good technology used,” Musoni said.

The government seeks to reach 100 percent clean water supply, in the entire country, by 2020.

Available statistics from WASAC indicate that access to clean drinking water is at 76 per cent, while the national access to improved sanitation facilities is at 83.4 per cent.

Musoni said that by January 2017, the city of Kigali would be having "100 per cent” water supply, basing on the next phase of expanding Nzove project.

Meanwhile, Jean Baptiste Ndacyayisenga, a resident of Nzove cell, said that since the establishment of Nzove project, not only water supply has improved but also the plant has created job opportunities for Nzove residents.

In a related development, Bower announced that Culligan is due to set up their regional headquarters in Kigali following a decision by board of directors who met three weeks ago in Chicago, according to Bower.

Erica Barks-Ruggles, the U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda, acknowledged the importance of the project also lauding Culligan for deciding to establish their regional headquarters in Kigali.

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