Residents in Eastern Province are calling for action to address the ongoing water leakage observed at various public water points that they rely on for their household water needs. The majority of the water used by residents in the province comes from these public water points.

Speaking to The New Times, residents urged the responsible institutions to address the water leakages and repair the infrastructure causing the spillages.

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"Water wastage at public water points is a significant concern that requires immediate attention. Streams of spillage and wastewater are commonly found, and some public water point attendants show a lack of concern for water conservation,” Jonas Tuyishimire, a resident of Kiramuruzi sector in Gatsibo District, highlighted.

He suggested that regular monitoring be implemented at public water points to minimise water spillage effectively.

Water is lost through leaks in pipes and open taps, among other factors. To address these challenges, the WASAC Group recommends using technology as a sustainable solution to prevent water waste.

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Robert Bimenyimana, the acting public relations officer for WASAC Group, stated, "The testing phase of installing 200 smart metres in Kigali and four other districts in Eastern Province is currently underway. The 56 smart metres already installed have significantly improved water usage, reducing waste and bills. Automatic systems enable a 20-litre command, reducing waste, and a feasibility assessment for SCADA leak detection devices on significant water pipelines is ongoing.”

The introduction of smart metres in Kayonza has demonstrated positive outcomes in terms of water consumption and waste reduction.

Xavela Gisubizo, who operates a public water selling point, noted the benefits of the automatic system limiting water commands to 20 litres.

"The automatic system has substantially reduced the amount of water previously wasted. I’ve observed a decrease in my water bills, and the water point operates day and night, allowing customers with a card to fetch water at their convenience,” she explained.

She added that the installation of smart metres eliminated the manual tasks of checking metres and recording water consumption, providing more time to focus on other essential activities.

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The Eastern Province, with a population exceeding 3.5 million residents, faces high water consumption demands. Ongoing water projects aim to increase the water supply, including the Rwf16 billion Sake Water Supply System set for completion in August 2024.

This project will benefit over 300,000 residents in intervention areas such as Zaza, Karembo, Sake, Jarama, Rukumberi, Kibungo, and Remera.

Additionally, an under-construction water channel linking Kayonza and Gatsibo, with a capacity to supply 10,000 cubic metres daily, aims to further address the rising demand for water in the region.