Rwanda water resources are under increasing pressure. Hence, we need to use the water resources efficiently and effectively to build a sustainable bright future for ourselves and upcoming generations.

Furthermore, we need to know how much water is used, by whom, and where which enables us to measure how much water is actually available for use as in some areas it is found that there is still extra water that can be made available for use, or there is already more water being used without considering the damage to the aquatic systems.

The Water Law n°49/2018 of 13/08/2018 'Determining the Use and Management of Water Resources in Rwanda' gives the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) the tools dubbed ‘water permit system’ to gather the information that we need for the optimal management of our water resources.

The ‘Water Permit System’ is a web application that helps water users to apply for the water use permit.

“The system aids in the proper management of water resources and good reporting module,” Vital Munyandinda, RWB’s Water Permits Division Manager explained.

Why a water use permit?

The water use permit is very crucial as it plays a vital role in managing water resources for optimal beneficial use of water for economic development of the country, ensuring fair share allocation, protecting the environment which helps water resources managers to assure that water for environmental flow remains available and pollution is reduced to a minimum.

Which benefits of a water use permit?

If you are one of water users, don’t be late to apply for a water permit. Why? Your water use promptly and correctly will improve your claim to lawful use established in accordance with water law and related regulations, you will not face prosecution for non-compliance, you cannot lose your claim to use water, the water resources managers will be aware of your use and abstraction point can’t be allocated to anyone else as you are then registered, and in case of shortage of water, you will have a priority order in water allocation.

Beneficiaries speak out

A Farm Manager at Garden Fresh Llt, located in Nyagatare District, Adolphe Niragira, explained that having a water permits is very important as the user can’t face any conflicts.

“During sunny season, we face drought challenges and when you do not possess the water permit, you encounter losses. Again, lack of the water permit leads to illegal operations as well as creating conflicts among water users in different activities such as agriculture, fishing, among others,” he says.

Garden Fresh Ltd is one of water users who requested a water extraction permit to irrigate crops by using sprinklers that extract water from marshland.

Christopher Rudaseswa, a technician in Natural Agriculture and Fishing in Rwamagana District, revealed that water users with water permits are the ones who do realize importance of environment protection.

“Water users with water permits operate freely. They are likely to get a support from the experts in the sector. And they are trained on how to use water resources by conserving environment,” Rudaseswa noted.

He added that it is still a big challenge on the environment protection when water resources are used in a way which is not managed by the law.