Yet, until 2018, more than 1 billion people still wake up each morning with zero access to clean water sources.
This means that millions of vulnerable families around the world do not drink, cook, or bathe with clean water — a basic natural resource that we too often take for granted here at home.
WASAC sets target to achieve universal access to clean water
The Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) has unveiled a plan that seeks to increase access to clean water and improve sanitation levels in Rwanda.
The national integrated water supply and sanitation master plan project, a 25-year master plan with 10-year investment plan, will be a key tool that will help in the identification supply gaps and capacity needs, as well as guide investment in the sector.
The two-million euros 10-year project will help in the investment plan, designing the master plan of the requirement, capacity building and managerial needs.
Albert Yaramba, Project Manager, Development of National integrated water supply and sanitation master plan project, WASAC, says, the 25-year master plan seeks to achieve the universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water as well as adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene.
Although Rwanda has made significant moves in the past towards increasing access to improved water and sanitation services, today access to water rate stands 84% which is insufficient to achieve the country’s 2020 targets.
Thus the government targets 100% achievement to the access of water supply and identification of effective and efficient water supply and sanitation projects.
“The survey will come out with what to do, projects to invest in the priority areas and the budget needed in affordable means, its sustainability and as well as water and sanitation is concerned,” says Yaramba.
Eng. Beakal Tadesse, Project Deputy Managing Director, SABA Engineering an Ethiopian multidisciplinary consulting company dealing in accounting and auditing services, says, the master plan will embark on building the capacity of the data collectors in designing the required materials in the water supply, demanded budget and finally the implementation phase.
The project is expected to benefit the people of Rwanda by providing clean water supply and sanitation services.
Through transformative strategies IDPRS II the government of Rwanda has made a good progress in extending water supply and sanitation coverage during the past few years, under clear political commitment to three complementary sets of targets: The economic development and poverty reduction strategy (2012) and Millennium Development goals.
It is being undertaken in partnership with the Department of the International Development (DFID), a UK department responsible for oversees aid, and targets to finance water supply in the country and improve sanitation from 82% to 100% by 2024.
The EXpress News
