25^th February 2022: 807 water use permits have been issued by the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) to various water users across the country.

According to the 2018 Water Use Law, in its Article 36, any person who uses water or carries out a water-related activity without a water use permit as required, commits an offense.

All water users apply for their permits through the Water Permit System, and prior to issuing every user's permit, RWB conducts an assessment and later inspects its use by visiting the user’s activities.

Vital Munyandinda, the Water Use Permits Division Manager at Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB), says that businesses that do not have water use permits risk losing their water share, abstraction sites as well as their concession areas.

“Water use permits are critical as businesses without them are not recognized for water allocation and planning and also risk losing their water share,” he states.

Additionally, he explains that the water resources are under increasing pressure, emphasizing the need for using them efficiently and effectively so as to ensure sustainable use for future generations.

“ There are approximately 2,200 big water users, and more than 1,500 businesses are using water without permits. Hence, they face penalties as well as imprisonment,”

“Upon conviction, the suspect is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two months and not more than three months and a fine of Rwf500,000 or only one of the penalties.”

Munyandinda reminds all water users that using water resources without permits triggers difficulties in managing water resources, and ineffective and inefficient water resources management, which could have an impact on effect the country’s socio-economic development.

WATER USERS REACT

Adolphe Niragira, a farm manager at Garden Fresh Ltd in Nyagatare District, requested a water extraction permit to irrigate crops with sprinklers that extract water from the District's marshland.

He explains that having a water permit is critical so that the user does not run into any problems.

"During the dry season, we face drought challenges and when you do not possess the water permit, you encounter losses. Again, the lack of a water permit leads to illegal operations as well as conflicts among water users engaged in various activities such as agriculture and fishing, among others," he explains.

Christopher Rudaseswa, an agriculture and fishing technician in Rwamagana District, stated that water users with water permits understand the importance of environmental protection.

"Water users with water permits are free to operate. They are likely to receive assistance from industry experts. They are also taught how to use water resources while protecting the environment."