80% have access to clean water - Ruhamya

The State Minister for Energy and Water, Coletha Ruhamya, has said that 80 percent of Rwandans have access to clean drinking water.She made theannouncement ahead of the Water Week that starts March 21.The minister noted that there is a slight increase from last year’s water coverage which stood at 76 percent while access to hygienic sanitation rose from 38% to 56% in the last three years. 

Saturday, March 19, 2011
A water treatment Plant at Nzove near River Nyabarongo. (File Photo)

The State Minister for Energy and Water, Coletha Ruhamya, has said that 80 percent of Rwandans have access to clean drinking water.

She made the announcement ahead of the Water Week that starts March 21.The minister noted that there is a slight increase from last year’s water coverage which stood at 76 percent while access to hygienic sanitation rose from 38% to 56% in the last three years.  

In preparation for the Water Week, Ruhamya said that more efforts will be put in putting in place new water supply and sanitation installations throughout the country. 

This year’s international theme is: ‘Water for cities: Responding to the urban challenge’, while the national’s theme is; "Proper management and increase of water supply infrastructures.”

The international Water Day that falls on March 22, has been celebrated since 1992. It aims to focus attention on the importance of freshwater resources and advocating for sustainable management of freshwater resources.

The government targets to attain 100% service coverage of water and sanitation by 2015.

"It is very possible to reach all our goals, however, we still have a challenge of scattered households in villages and financial constraints,” said Ruhamya.

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