High Priority Investments in Rwanda

Component 2 of the LVB IWRM Programme focuses on the realization of High Priority Infrastructure Investments (HPIs), which aim to reduce the pollution of surface water in the Basin. During the preparation phase of the Programme in 2016, four investment projects that address the pressing and ‘no-regret’ issue of wastewater and sanitation were selected, using a structured selection process. Let’s take a look at what’s happening in Rwanda.

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Rwanda, Kigali

What

Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant

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High priority justification

The current dumping of faecal sludge at the Nduba Landfill leads to unacceptable environmental pollution: air, ground and surface water, a foul smell, and other hazards.

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Context

The capital of Rwanda, Kigali, hosts nearly 1.2 million people, which is around 10% of the country’s total population. Apart from some neighbourhood sewerage systems and decentralized communal wastewater treatment plants, the population uses on-site systems such as pit latrines and septic tanks. When full, pit latrines are usually closed, and a new pit is built. If there is insufficient space, the pit has to be emptied, usually by means of a vacuum truck. At present, the collected sludge is dumped at the Nduba Landfill.

 

The current dumping of faecal sludge at the Nduba Landfill leads to unacceptable environmental pollution: air, ground- and surface water, foul smell and other hazards. The current practice is to be replaced by environmentally sound treatment of collected faecal sludge. To this end, the HPI for a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plan was developed. After treatment, the end product can be disposed safely, or be used for the production of fuel or compost.

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The National Project Executing Agency is the Water Supply and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC)

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Status

Feasibility studies have been completed, and the related final Feasibility Study Report approved jointly by the LVBC and WASAC, and later cleared by KfW will advance to the tendering process stage.