Kirehe/Rwamagana- Most districts in Eastern Province have been hit by scarcity of clean water leaving many to rely on untreated marshland water. The issue of water has been heightened despite the impending March-April rains.

Local leaders say residents trek long distances or sometimes ride bicycles in search of water.

They have to wait for long hours as water fills up the spring wells so that they can fetch water in turns.Jean Paul Mbonabucya, a resident of Rwanteru in Kirehe District, said a number of streams where residents fetch water were also drying up.

He added that scarcity of water was common in the district, adding that there was need to rectify the water sources, to ensure that there is clean water for the affected communities.

"A number of sectors are for sure affected by inadequate water...people have resorted to swamp water which is not clean. The long distances to the water sources make it very expensive...it is not affordable to many residents,” he lamented.

Juliette Mukamusoni, a business woman in Nyakarambi town in Kirehe, said their work was greatly hampered by lack of water.

She said that most clients do not feel at ease when they visit the main town in the district due the issue of water.

"Imagine a restaurant or hotel with limited water supply... People need to bath, wash, and so forth. A 20 litre water container costs Rwf 150...it is as bad as that,” she complained.

Meanwhile, Rwamagana District is overwhelmed by population growth that does not match with availability of water.

According to the Mayor, Nehemie Uwimana, the water infrastructure remains the same despite population increase.

"The water source which is Lake Muhazi has seen its volume decrease. The most probable cause is high usage of water that doesn’t correlate with supply,” he said.

Desire Kairu of Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA), Rwamagana branch, confirmed the existence of the problem, adding that a solution was underway."We are working on increasing our water supply in this area. By next year, we shall have fixed the problem. But as a short-term measure, we are now compelled to resort to water rationing,” he said.