1. Objectives of this portal site

This portal site is aimed to support the management of water supply systems delegated to Private Operators in Rwanda and to enhance the communication between Districts, Private Operators and WASAC.

This site is managed by WASAC Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Delegated Water Management Unit.

2. Historical background of rural water sector in Rwanda

1939-1984: International Association of Rural Development (AIDR in French) was responsible for: installation, distribution and maintenance of the water network under the Government fund.

1939 - 1964:The Belgium fund “Fonds du Bien Etre Indigene” was invested in the rural water to ensure operation and maintenance (O&M).

1964-1984: The AIDR was assigned by the Government to work on O&M of infrastructure , water catchment, treatment and distribution.

1985: AIDR was officially dissolved due to irresponsibility of users and vandalism.

1985: Rural Water Management was assigned to: Associative Régie administrative Authority, and the Professional Board on a contractual basis.

1987 - 1994: Associative Régie was established in all districts of Rwanda.

1994 - 2010: Water facilities were managed by administrative associations, community, cooperatives, and private.

2010 - Present: Rural water services has been managed by the community, District WASH Boards and Private Operators.

(The beneficiaries was asked to pay royal water fees for the service rendered. However, the previous forms of Rural Water Management collapsed and the Government adopted a new approach to delegate Rural water supply system management to Private Operator.)

3. Responsibilities of major actors in RWSS

Responsibilities of Districts

Districts are owners of water facilities under MINALOC supervision.

• Allow accessibility, affordability for all to basic services related to basic needs.
• Assessment of functionality and planning of rehabilitation of WSS.
• Ensure Procurement and contract management of construction and Management of WSS.
• Mobilization of Funds.
• District to develop the best affordable service quality to population.
• The Districts are requested to look for appropriate skills to manage RWSS.

Three principles for a public service:

• Equity of accessibility of services.
• Continuity or sustainability of those services.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing needs.

Responsibilities of Private Operators

Private Operator is a company which has been given the responsibilities to manage water supply services in the district under PPP arrangement.

PPP is defined as a business relationship between a private-sector company and a government for the purpose of ensuring the good service delivery for the population.

The partnership between the Government and Private Operators in water services means that the Government gives to privates responsibilities to manage all facilities but the facilities remain the Government’s property.

The purpose of PPP is simple and clearly defined:

• The Government wants District to develop the best affordable service quality to population
• The Districts are requested to look for appropriate skills to manage RWSS
• The District being an administrative, political and social institution request skill for RWSS management should come from external operators.

Private Operators are expected to:

• React to technical and financial issues.
• Address performance, including fast repairing when a problem occurs.
• Adapt to service development through appropriate resources and easier access to finances.
• Build a new image of public water services, funded on quality and continuity that should increase users’ confidence and willingness to pay.

Responsibilities of WASAC

WASAC is the implementer of National Water Supply Policy (NWSP) which is under MININFRA.

Ensure adequate sustainable water supply in rural area by:

• Designing, preparing and implementing their water project in compliance with the standards established;
• Facilitation, sensitization and social mobilization in water management and water use
• Technical assistance, education and training of water community members
• Assisting in putting in place water supply systems and their management at District level
• Reinforcing capacity in drinking water quality control
• Develop guidelines for establishing tariffs for the provision of water
• Provide advice on cost effective and efficient management of water supply systems
• Develop and ensure the utilization of performance agreement contract between water service provider and district
• Establish standards for water production, the supplying and the management for potable water
• Advice on coordination of rural water stakeholders & Ensuring the M&E water sub sector
• Standardization of water equipment and structure in order to reduce ( to minimize ) exploitation and maintenance cost
• Preparing, dissemination of technical guidelines of water systems maintenance