The affected facilities include the Gihira plant in Rubavu District, the Gihengeri plant in Gicumbi District, and the Cyondo plant in Nyagatare District.
WASAC confirmed that the Gihira plant, which had temporarily stopped operations, has resumed water supply, restoring services to consumers in the surrounding sectors, including Rubavu, Nyamyumba, Gisenyi, and Rugerero.
Situated along the Sebeya River, the Gihira plant has a daily treatment capacity of 23,000 cubic meters. Any disruption at this facility can significantly impact water availability in the district.
The Gihengeri Water Treatment Plant, serving Gicumbi District, has a daily capacity of 3,500 cubic meters, while the Cyondo plant in Nyagatare District produces up to 4,000 cubic meters per day. Both facilities also temporarily halted operations due to the heavy rains.
Heavy rainfall often disrupts water treatment operations, as rivers supplying these plants become heavily contaminated, making water treatment challenging. In such instances, temporary suspension is necessary until water quality stabilizes.
Since July 2025, the country has experienced unusually heavy rains for the dry season. On August 16 and 17, particularly intense rainfall led to floods. The Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) reported that these floods claimed five lives and injured 25 people.
IGIHE
