A water treatment plant and a 140-kilometre network under construction in Ngoma District are set to transform the lives of over 340,000 residents by providing access to clean water. The Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) Group project along the shores of Lake Mugesera involves a Rwf 300 billion investment in the community's future. The Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) Group is integral to the development and execution of the Sake Water Plant and Ngoma Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) Project. Its responsibilities include managing tender processes to recruit qualified contractors and consultants, ensuring transparency and compliance. Also, WASAC Group is responsible for the monitoring and evaluates resettlement efforts, ensuring the project meets its goals while benefiting the community sustainably. Laetitia Mukayizera, 38, a resident of Kabeza village, Zaza sector, has been experiencing skin ailments for the past three weeks, a condition that, according to doctors, is attributed to the use of unclean water. “When I drink or bathe with water from the lake, it irritates my skin,” she said, describing her three-week battle with water-related skin ailments. “I had to purchase water to safeguard my health.” Like many in her community, Mukayizera looks forward to redirecting money spent on water purchases towards other developmental activities once the project is completed. The infrastructure project, which began in February 2023, includes the construction of an intake system with three horizontal pumps, a treatment plant capable of processing 11,000 cubic metres of water daily in its first phase, and 10 strategically placed reservoirs. Phase II will expand the capacity to 33,000 cubic metres per day, serving a projected population of over 600,000 by 2035. “Insufficient water production and large volume of water leakages caused limited water supply,” explained Ngoma District Mayor Nathalie Niyonagira. “We have been having old pipelines which were constructed many years ago. Sake Water Supply System will help us address these challenges and enhance hygiene and sanitation in the district as we move towards water access for all in NST2.” The project’s implementation required careful planning and community engagement, particularly regarding land acquisition. According to the June 2023 Resettlement Action Plan Report, over Rwf 200 million was allocated for expropriation costs, with an additional Rwf 300 million earmarked for compensation of affected crops and trees along the pipeline route. Five hectares of land were acquired. Seventy per cent of residents are farmers, the project represents more than just water access—it’s a pathway to improved health, enhanced sanitation, and economic development. Niyonagira emphasised the importance of community ownership in ensuring the project’s longevity. “For a long time, access to water has been a pressing need in our communities,” she noted. “We urge residents to safeguard the infrastructure by refraining from vandalism and avoiding irresponsible cultivation practices that could damage the pipelines.” The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive, with residents committing to allow pipeline routing through their lands without compensation in some cases, participating in excavation work, and pledging to maintain the infrastructure and pay water bills promptly to ensure sustainable operations. When completed next year, the network will serve the sectors of Zaza, Karembo, Sake, Jarama, Rukumberi, Kibungo, and Remera, marking a significant milestone in Rwanda’s journey towards universal water access.
