The announcement comes as part of the government's broader efforts to improve access to safe drinking water and ensure a reliable supply for the country's growing population.

Rwanda currently produces approximately 367,000 cubic meters of treated water per day. However, only 65 percent of that water reaches consumers, while the remaining 35 percent is lost through leakages and other forms of non revenue water.

Presenting the government's progress on strengthening the country's economic resilience and improving citizens' welfare before a joint sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva said expanding access to clean water remains one of the government's top priorities.

"The government is implementing projects that will increase daily treated water production from more than 367,000 cubic meters this year to over 688,000 cubic meters per day by 2029," he said.

Nzove IV to play a key role in Kigali's water supply

Kigali currently relies on water supplied from the Nzove treatment facilities and other nearby sources.'

The city requires around 200,000 cubic meters of water each day, yet existing facilities produce only about 140,000 cubic meters, leaving a considerable supply deficit.

To help bridge this gap, the government is expanding the capacity of the Nzove III Water Treatment Plant from 40,000 cubic meters to 65,000 cubic meters per day, with completion scheduled for September 2026.

In addition, preparations are underway for the construction of the Nzove IV Water Treatment Plant, which is expected to add 150,000 cubic meters of treated water per day to Kigali's supply.

Dr. Nsengiyumva said the project is expected to be completed within three years, with commissioning planned for December 2029.

The Ministry of Infrastructure recently announced that the new treatment plant will draw water from the artificial reservoir being developed alongside the Nyabarongo II Hydropower Plant.

The project is expected to provide Kigali with a more sustainable and sufficient supply of clean water.

The government had earlier projected that the construction contract would be signed by the end of May.

Another major project involves upgrading the Karenge Water Treatment Plant, whose production capacity will increase from 12,000 cubic meters to 48,000 cubic meters per day by January 2029.

More water projects planned across the country

Beyond Kigali, the government has planned several large scale water projects in different parts of the country.

In the Eastern Province, new water treatment plants are planned for Rwagitugusa, Sake, Kirehe, and Muvumba. However, funding for these projects has not yet been secured.

In the Southern Province, planned projects include a water treatment plant and pipeline connecting Higiro, Kigembe, and Mukindo in Gisagara District, a treatment plant in Kagaga, Muhanga District, and the Nyaruguru–Huye–Gisagara Water Supply Project, which will deliver clean water to the three districts.

These pipeline projects are expected to be completed during the 2027/2028 fiscal year, while the Busogwe Water Treatment Plant is scheduled for completion in 2029.

In the Northern Province, the Volcano Belt Water Supply Project, which serves Musanze, Rubavu, Nyabihu, and Rutsiro districts, as well as the Kivu Belt Water Supply Project, which supplies Karongi and surrounding areas, have largely been completed.

Government intensifies efforts to reduce water losses

Alongside increasing production capacity, the government is also stepping up efforts to reduce water losses caused by leakages within the distribution network.

According to Dr. Nsengiyumva, official data shows that WASAC Group loses approximately four out of every ten litres of treated water before it reaches consumers due to leaks and other technical challenges.

To address the problem, the government plans to deploy modern technology capable of detecting leaks automatically, allowing WASAC to identify and repair damaged sections of the network without waiting for public reports.

"We have been working with a Japanese company that already operates in Rwanda. It has demonstrated that significantly reducing water leakages is possible.

"We are now discussing expanding its role by entrusting it with larger sections of the city's water network. We have already signed the agreement, which gives us confidence that we will achieve our target of reducing water losses," he said.

WASAC recently revealed that the country's existing water treatment plants are unable to produce approximately 1,234 cubic meters of water each day because of aging infrastructure.

The government is investing in the expansion and rehabilitation of water infrastructure and distribution networks with the goal of reducing non revenue water losses to 25 percent by 2029, ensuring that more treated water reaches households, businesses, and institutions across the country.