Scoping mission on water in rwanda - Partners voor Water

<strong>Scoping</strong> Mission on Rwanda for Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kigali
3 Challenges in water sector
• Rwanda’s future population and its food security through irrigated agriculture will demand for
enormous volumes of water; the uniqueness for Africa is that in the 2050 with the present population
growth the population density in Rwanda will be at an unprecedented level of above 700 per km2.
Industries and recreation, and hydropower will add to the immense water demand and stringent
pollution control measures are definitely and highly needed.
• With the presently planned ambitious infrastructural development in urban, industrial, agricultural,
electricity sectors, a reliable baseline (stock-taking) of available water resources and quality is
urgently required. Presently, Rwanda lacks reliable water resources data on quantity and quality that
is required for long- and medium-term planning, integrated water resources management, water
governance, regulation and oversight.
• Water resources monitoring on use and users, both in qualitative and quantitative terms, is urgently
needed to protect, control, regulate and allocate the precious resource that water is; particularly as
so many sectors look at water is their source required for their activities. The current monitoring
system in Rwanda is inadequate. Most of the river gauging, rainfall and climatic stations are nonoperational
due to lack of operation and maintenance of the hydro-meteorological stations due to
financial constraints. Groundwater monitoring is completely lacking. The impact of lack of
hydrological data is that the implementation of the plans to manage the water resources in an
equitable and rational manner to ensure sustainability is hindered. The following elements require
substantial action:
Improving Water Monitoring: The following elements require substantial action:
River Gauging Network: A density of 1 station for 2,500 km2 meets the minimum density norms for streamgauging
as per WMO recommendation. Stations should be fitted with an Automatic Water level
Recorder. Only 6 stations are operational in Rwanda.
Precipitation Stations: The rainfall monitoring network in Rwanda in the past has been quite dense. Reports
indicate that the number of rainfall stations in the country was 195 in the past. However, the current
status of the stations is reported to be in very poor shape as the majority of the stations are not
operational. Only a handful of the stations are still operational. In view of the economic difficulties,
which limit the operation of a dense network, the existing networks have been reviewed with the
objective to maintain a small network, which possibly can be operated and maintained sustainably from
the Government funds that can be made available.
Climatic Stations: A total of 8 climatic stations have ever been operated in the Rwandan side. Out of the total 8
stations, 6 stations are operational while 2 are non operational. It is reported that about half of the
instruments are working.
Groundwater Monitoring Stations: Groundwater monitoring has never been carried out. With increased use of
water resources, groundwater extraction may become a more important source of water. Groundwater
measuring sites have been planned to be established in Rwanda on three representative basins for
different kinds of aquifers, i.e., Ruhengeri, south Kigali and Kibungo provinces.
Status of Water Quality: Three automatic surface water quality stations have been planned to be installed on
Nyabugogo river near Kigali and Nyabarongo downstream of Kigali in order to provide water quality
data of both rivers in RwandaSediment Network: It is recommended that the sampling points for
suspended sediment to be located at the hydrometric stations.
Drinking water monitoring: The National Strategic Action Plan on Drinking Water Quality Surveillance 2012-
2016, assuming that 80% of diseases are water borne, plans to monitor compliance to Rwanda Water
Quality standard RS.435.2009, following the East African Water Quality Standard specification.Data
centre: Within MINERENA a plan to install an adequate water system, including staff provision and
training, installation of equipment and software to make the information available for the various
stakeholders must be put in place with priority. This plan must be developed in close cooperation with
various stakeholders. Placement under REMA is suggested.
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