Increasing water security through integrated water services combined with a holistic package of health, livelihood, and environmental support programs.
Snapshot
Context & Challenges
Relative to many countries in Africa, Rwanda boasts abundant water resources, but water availability varies by location, particularly in the dry Eastern Province. An estimated 31% of Rwandans do not have access to an improved source of drinking water, and 39% lack access to improved sanitation. Rwanda has the highest population density in Africa and one of the highest in the world. Unsustainable farming practices and environmental degradation along with climate change place the agriculture-dominated economy in a precarious position, particularly for the 85% of the population dependent on agricultural livelihoods.
Program
Rwanda Integrated Water Security (RIWSP) Program
Location: Eastern Province, Kayonza and Gatsibo Districts
Dates: 2011-2015
Clients [to date]: 30,000 people receiving access to improved water supply
Funder: USAID through the GLOWS consortium with FIU
Implementers: Winrock International with EGC, DICO, Geotop, World Vision
View Photos From Rwanda
Water taps of the system are protected and regularly cleaned by water users under the guidance of the local water committees.
Anasi Mukabera, resident of Kayonza District, tending her kitchen garden. The garden does not use very much water, or take up much space, making it easy for this mother of seven to access high quality vegetables close to her home.
The Auhuzamaboko-Ryamutumo cooperative works together to produce and sell what they grow. Winrock supports them by reinforcing water management techniques, new irrigation methods and financial management training.
Rainwater harvesting tanks at Gihinga School collect water for cleaning and watering their kitchen gardenings. RIWSP is currently working on providing the school with drinking water.
At the Gihinga Primary and Secondary Schools there are now 16 kitchen gardens, serving over 1,500 students. The school plans to construct a total of 80. Above, Richard Kwizera, a student at Gihinga School just built a similar garden for his family at home.
Approach
Improving water security by addressing rural poverty fueled by food insecurity, malnutrition, and high risk of water-related diseases.
Working in collaboration with the communities and government, a holistic approach tackles rural poverty by linking integrated water services with a package of health, livelihood and environmental support programs. A spring-fed piped scheme supplies 36 communities, a regional hospital, two health centers, five schools and farms with sustainable and reliable water for domestic and productive uses. Following Rwandan law the scheme is owned by the government and operated by a private company, which is jointly selected. Training is provided to the local government, private operator and communities to ensure sustainable service delivery. A holistic approach to nutritional health combining water, sanitation, kitchen gardens and nutrition education helps improve children’s health. Agricultural productivity and climate resiliency are increased through mulching, on-farm water use efficiency, climate-smart crop choices, improved seeds, and improved horticultural techniques. Reforestation curbs soil degradation and improves soil characteristics and in turn, forests provide timber, firewood and other products like honey and fruit. Education on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), climate change adaptation and environmental management enhances sustainability.
Water
- A spring-fed piped scheme supplies 36 communities, a regional hospital, two health centers, five schools and farms with sustainable and reliable water supply for domestic and productive uses managed through a public-private partnership (PPP)
- Five schools equipped with rainwater harvesting systems
- Four spring water reservoirs equipped with treadle pumps for productive uses including gardens, nurseries and livestock
Health
- Greater volumes of water and more reliable services are made available for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene
- Hygiene behavior change training focused on handwashing helps reduce water-related disease
- Holistic approach to nutritional health combining water, sanitation, kitchen gardens and nutrition education helps improve children’s health
Livelihoods
- Increased access to productive-use water services support income generation activities such as gardening, livestock watering and tree planting
- Agricultural productivity and climate resiliency are increased through mulching, on-farm water use efficiency, climate-smart crop choices, improved seeds and improved horticultural techniques
- Treadle pumps and smart gardening technologies combined with marketing assistance increase incomes from off-season market gardens and traditional farm crops
- Kitchen gardens improve food security and nutrition at households and schools
Environment
- Reforestation curbs soil degradation and improves soil characteristics. In turn, forests provide timber, firewood and other products like honey and fruit
- Education on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), climate change adaptation and environmental management enhances sustainability
- MUS is a great way to link peoples local interests to IWRM
What We’ve Learned
- A holistic focus on water security in all its dimensions – environmental, economic, social and political — is important for Rwanda’s development.
- Given Rwanda’s extremely high population density, land ownership and access is essential to take into account.
- Alignment with national policy and priorities is essential for effective and sustainable water investments.
- Community involvement leads to better and more sustainable outcomes for small, decentralized systems like reservoirs, rainwater harvesting and treadle pumps.
- While the government mandated public private partnership management model continues to be refined, it is an effective model in Rwanda that could be replicated elsewhere.