The Director General of WASAC, Prof. Omar Munyaneza, announced that a new prepaid water payment system—similar to prepaid electricity—is about to be launched. This technology will be rolled out across the country after successful trials at public water points in the districts of Rwamagana, Kayonza, Gatsibo, and Nyagatare.
In this system, users will load money onto a card, which they will then tap on a device installed at the water tap, allowing them to collect water equivalent to the amount they paid.
“A resident will use a token, similar to a coin, or like the Tap&Go card. They will go to the water point, tap it—say they load 100 Rwandan Francs, if a jerrycan costs 20, that amount is deducted. When they come back tomorrow, they tap again until the balance runs out and then they reload,” explained Prof. Omar on Wednesday.
He stated that the pilot project worked well across the 200 tested public water points, and that the system will now be expanded nationwide with contractors already identified.
He added: “Just like you use cash power to buy electricity, this is what we want to implement for water. We’ve already issued a call for interested individuals to partner with WASAC, and some of you will soon see these systems installed in your homes.”
Prof. Omar emphasized that this new method will help citizens monitor their own water usage, reduce complaints about inaccurate water bills, and also make it easier for WASAC to collect payments.
He further noted that if the system proves effective over the next six months, it will be scaled up and implemented countrywide.
