Muhazi Water Supply System reaches 93% completion, set to serve Gatsibo and Kayonza

By The Inspirer. 

Authorities in Gatsibo District have announced that construction works on the Muhazi Water Supply System, a major water treatment plant set to serve parts of Gatsibo and Kayonza districts, have reached 93 per cent completion, raising hopes that residents will soon access clean drinking water.

Construction of the plant began in 2023 and is located along the shores of Lake Muhazi, in Rwankuba Cell, Murambi Sector of Gatsibo District.

Once completed, the facility will initially supply clean water to eight sectors across the two districts. In Gatsibo, the beneficiary sectors include Kiramuruzi, Kiziguro, Murambi, Remera and Rugarama, while Rukara, Gahini and Murundi sectors in Kayonza District will also be served.

Under its first phase, the Muhazi Water Supply System is designed to treat up to 12,000 cubic metres of water per day. The project also includes the installation of 256 kilometres of water pipelines, construction of 11 water storage tanks and establishment of 165 public water points.

When fully operational, the system is expected to provide clean water to more than 543,000 residents in the two districts.

Gatsibo District Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, Jean Leonard Sekanyange, said the project will significantly address long-standing water shortages in the area.

“Gatsibo District has for a long time faced challenges in accessing clean water due to the absence of a water treatment plant. This project is a solution not only for Gatsibo but also for Kayonza,” he said.

He noted that upon completion of the first phase, the plant will supply 12,000 cubic metres of water per day, with plans for a second and third phase that will raise total production capacity to 36,000 cubic metres daily.

“Currently, the district was receiving less than 7,000 cubic metres per day. With this project, water supply will increase nearly fivefold, and we are confident it will be sufficient to meet demand,” Sekanyange added.

He explained that residents of Murambi, Kiziguro, Kiramuruzi, Rugarama and Remera sectors will be the first to benefit, before water distribution is extended to other sectors in subsequent phases. He further expressed confidence that within the next two years, water shortages in Gatsibo will be significantly reduced.

Local residents have welcomed the progress, saying the project will improve health and living conditions.

Mbabajende Nadine, a resident of Akarambo Village in Akabuga Cell, Kiramuruzi Sector, said many families had relied on unsafe water sources, exposing them to waterborne diseases.

“We used to fetch water from a small valley with a lot of waste, which caused illnesses such as intestinal worms,” she said. “This project will help us access clean water and avoid diseases linked to unsafe water. We thank the government for bringing this service closer to us.”

Residents say they are eagerly awaiting the completion of the project, which they believe will mark a turning point in access to safe and reliable water in the region.