11^th November 2022: The Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) has kicked off the mapping exercise of groundwater sources in efforts to install boreholes that contribute to improving water security in the Eastern and Southern Provinces.

This one-month activity underway is being funded by UNICEF Rwanda and involves different water sector partners.

It is part of the study titled ‘Consultancy to Provide Technical Services for Groundwater Mapping in Rwanda’ that will generate a new regional map of groundwater potential to guide the future borehole siting planning and effective development of groundwater-based water supply projects.

Eight districts currently facing water scarcity include Kayonza, Bugesera, Ngoma in Eastern Province and Kamonyi, Ruhango , Gisagara, Nyanza in Southern Province.

“We have identified more than 200 sites with enough groundwater that can help to establish boreholes in the Eastern and Southern provinces as the country’s parts that are more vulnerable to prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water,” says Bernard Musana, RWB’s Head of the Knowledge and Forecasting Hub Department.

He has added that eight borehole sites were found with the capacity to supply 1,000 cubic meters per day, and it is a potential source of water that can be used for small-scale irrigation on 100 hectares and domestic use while contributing to Rwanda’s ambition to irrigate 102,284 hectares by 2024.

 Thus far, RWB has recommended the installation of boreholes across the country. According to Musana, the mapping of more groundwater sources will be done in other provinces, and there are ongoing discussions with partners to introduce technologies that increase groundwater drilling skills.

CITIZENS SPEAK OUT

"Having more boreholes installed nearby will ensure our water security. We will no longer walk longer distances to fetch clean water," testifies Ildephonse Sinayobye, a resident of Bukora Village in Kirehe District.

Eugenie Mukabutera, also from Maranyundo Village in Kirehe District, acknowledges that a number of farmers and cattle keepers are always in need of water. Hence, boreholes will increase the quantity of water.