Huye Residents Praise Clean Water Access, and Call for Stronger Management”

Residents in Huye District commend the government for bringing clean and safe water closer to communities through public water points, but some say irregular management and inconsistent service continue to hinder reliable access, calling for stronger supervision and accountability.

Residents in various sectors of Huye District say they appreciate the government’s efforts to bring clean and safe water closer to communities through the installation of public water points. Many acknowledge that this development has helped reduce the long distances people, especially women and children, used to walk in search of water, while also contributing to better hygiene and a reduction in waterborne diseases. However, despite these positive achievements, some residents report that access to water remains inconsistent in certain areas, mainly due to what they describe as poor management of the public taps.

Several residents say the main challenge is that those responsible for managing the water points are sometimes unavailable, leaving taps closed when people need water the most. Beata Mukandayisenga, a resident of Tumba Sector, explained that although the service has changed their lives for the better, there are moments when they are left stranded. She says, “Water has really improved our lives, but sometimes we come here and go back home without a drop simply because the person in charge is not around.” She adds that there are days when people go to fetch water but return home empty-handed because the person in charge is not present to provide the service, which affects daily household activities.

Another resident, Emmanuel Nteziryayo from Ngoma Sector, says some areas are well organized and water is always available, but others still suffer from poor coordination. He explains that in some places, residents pay for water but fail to receive the service on time, which he believes calls for stronger supervision and accountability. He says, “In some places things work well, but in others we pay and still don’t get water on time. We just need better management so that everyone benefits equally.” Some residents also note that individuals assigned to manage public taps sometimes combine this responsibility with other personal activities, making it difficult for them to serve the community consistently.

The Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) District Manager in Huye, Richard Bwanakweli, acknowledges that these challenges exist and says efforts are underway to address them in collaboration with local leaders. He explains that those managing public water points represent the community and must provide reliable service. According to him, communities have the right to replace any operator who fails to perform effectively, as the priority remains ensuring timely and efficient access to clean water for everyone. He says, “These operators are chosen to serve their communities, so if they fail, communities have every right to demand change because access to water is essential.” He adds that WASAC is also working to strengthen infrastructure and improve monitoring systems to ensure better service delivery.

Nationally, Rwanda has made significant progress in expanding access to clean water, with recent statistics indicating that the coverage has reached 90 percent from 87 percent in 2017. The government aims to achieve universal access to safe drinking water by 2029. Meanwhile, residents in Huye District say they are grateful for the progress already achieved but are calling for better supervision of water point operators, consistent operating schedules, increased water supply in still-challenged areas, and replacement of underperforming managers so that every household can enjoy reliable access to clean water.