RWAMAGANA- Old and dilapidated water pipes, many of which are yet to be repaired or upgraded since installation many years ago in parts of the Eastern Province are behind a crippling water shortage.

This was disclosed at a consultative meeting, over the weekend, that brought together mayors and Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA) officials.

EWSA official, Albert Yaramba, attributed the problem to poor maintenance, adding that local leaders and the Ministry of Infrastructure are to blame.

Yaramba admitted that half of the water infrastructure in the province was in dire need of repair.

He said that there was urgent need for local leaders, to partner with other stakeholders to restore the crumbled water system.

"Water access in the Province is at 47 percent...this is very low and may decline further if there is no repair of pipes and machines. The country’s target by 2020 is 100 percent, this can’t be achieved with the current state of affairs,” he pointed out.

Kirehe, Ngoma and Kayonza were cited among the districts with a severe shortage of piped water.

The mayors in the affected districts echoed the need to forge a workable system, to upgrade the water infrastructure in the respective districts.

Bugesera Mayor Louis Rwagaju, said that his district was in dire need of clean water.

"Water is one of our main social economic impediments ...Bugesera is in critical need of water. It becomes worse during the dry season,” he disclosed.

Ends