Rwanda - Third Water Supply Project

Report No. PIC986 Project Name Rwanda-Third Water Supply Project Region Africa Sector Water Supply Project ID RWPA2247 Implementing Agency Director of Water and Sanitation Ministry of Public Works and Energy B.P. 24 Kigali, RWANDA Tel: 0-237 Fax: 0-85755 Date Prepared April 1, 1994 Projected Board Date December 12, 1994 Objectives Water supply strategy in Rwanda is dictated by the need to serve a more important part of the urban poor and of the rural population. In urban areas, a new house connection policy should be implemented for the poor neighborhoods of the main cities, including medium-term credits. The development of the rural sub-sector should be based on the strengthening of the institutions and policies, delegating responsibility for operation and maintenance at the local level, and mobilizing local participation in construction and funding of operation and maintenance. The proposed project should foster this principle, taking account of the experience of the second IDA project. The main objectives of the project would be: (a) to improve access to safe water for the population living in poor suburbs and rural areas; (b) to help the Government make proper institutional arrangements in urban centers, giving the ownership of the facilities to a "Societe Nationale", and their operation and maintenance to a private firm; (c) to help prepare and implement a new policy for house connections with payment facilities; and (d) to increase the rural population's sense of responsibility for maintaining the water supply facilities and promoting sustainable development. Description The proposed project would include the following components: (a) reinforcement of the water distribution network of Kigali, extension thereof in the poor neighborhoods of Kigali and the secondary cities, and installation of at least 5,000 house connections with credit facilities; (b) contribution to the new Kigali water supply, through the use of underground water in the Nyabarongo valley; (c) completion of Mutobo water supply systems, in the Lava Region, included in the Second Water Supply Project, but stopped by the military operations in this region since  October 1990; (d) rehabilitation and construction of small rural water schemes throughout the country; and (e) strengthening of the Directorate of Water and Sanitation through the provision of technical assistance, equipment and training. Cost and Financing The project is estimated at US$40 million, subject to review of project scope and sustainability. In addition to IDA and GOR funding, and on the basis of present experience, several cofinanciers are likely to be interested in co-financing the proposed project, including CFD, Austria and Switzerland. Implementation The project would be implemented over a five to six year period, as follows: (i) the technical and overall supervision of the project would be vested in the Directorate for Water and Sanitation, (ii) the Urban Water Company would be responsible for the execution of the urban water supply component. Environmental and Social Aspects The project would contribute to the improvement of the urban environment. Appropriate detailed design and contractual arrangements will be prepared to prevent inappropriate works' construction methods with potentially harmful environmental consequences. Environmental assessment Category B. The project would have a substantial positive social impact by: (i) providing improved water supply service, (ii) improving the overall sanitary situation of the rural and urban sub-sectors, and (iii) contributing to the improvement in health conditions of the population. Contact Point: Public Information Center The World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202)458-5454 Fax No.: (202)522-1500 Note: This is information based on an evolving project. Certain components may not necessarily be included in the final project. - 2 -