The Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) has announced revised penalties for individuals and businesses caught stealing water or using it illegally, with fines reaching up to Rwf5 million depending on the type of premises or activities in which the water was used.
The new penalties were announced on Monday, October 26, 2026, and are scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2026. They increase existing fines and introduce a separate category for construction sites to ensure that penalties reflect the amount of water consumed during illegal use.
How the New Penalties Will Apply
According to WASAC, residential properties found stealing water or using illegal connections will face a penalty of Rwf1 million.
Construction sites for single residential houses, livestock farms and agricultural irrigation sites will face a penalty of Rwf3 million.
Construction sites for multi-storey buildings and other real estate developments will attract a penalty of Rwf5 million.
The same Rwf5 million penalty will apply to factories, commercial buildings, hotels, guest houses, bars, restaurants, car washes, garages, swimming pools, public and private institutions, schools, health facilities and other establishments included in the designated categories.
The changes are intended to ensure that penalties correspond to the type of activity in which water was used illegally, particularly in places where large volumes of water may be consumed.
Why WASAC Revised the Penalties
Robert Bimenyimana, spokesperson for WASAC Group, told The New Times that the previous regulations set penalties of Rwf1 million for residential properties and Rwf3 million for commercial buildings.
However, the water utility found that some construction sites used substantial amounts of water while attracting the same penalty as residential properties.
Bimenyimana gave the example of someone constructing a residential house who could use water worth Rwf500,000 a week during construction.
He explained that if the person were caught after two months of illegal water use, the penalty under the previous regulations could still be the same as that imposed on someone stealing water for a residential house, even though the value of the water used could be considerably higher.
This prompted WASAC to introduce different penalty categories based on the activities for which the water was used and the amount consumed.
How WASAC Calculates Water Theft Charges
WASAC says the penalties imposed on people caught stealing water are separate from the charges for water consumed illegally.
This means that anyone caught must pay for the water they used, in addition to the applicable penalty.
Robert Bimenyimana, spokesperson for WASAC Group, explained that the corporation examines how long the water may have been used illegally and the activities for which it was used.
He said: “We analyse how long the water has been used and the activities for which it was used. We estimate the period of illegal consumption and how much water those activities would normally require per day.”
The assessment helps WASAC estimate the volume of water consumed illegally and determine the amount owed for the water, in addition to the applicable penalty.
The corporation said it works with other institutions to pursue cases involving people who refuse to pay the amounts due after being caught.
WASAC to Reward People Who Report Water Theft
As part of its efforts to combat water theft, WASAC has announced rewards for people who provide information that helps expose illegal water use.
Informants who report water theft involving residential houses will receive Rwf50,000.
Those who report cases involving construction sites, commercial premises and other listed categories will receive Rwf100,000.
WASAC also said the identities of informants would be kept confidential to protect their privacy.
The initiative is intended to encourage members of the public to participate in identifying and reporting activities that lead to the illegal use of water.
Water Reconnection Fees Also Increased
In addition to revising penalties for water theft, WASAC has increased the fee charged to customers seeking to have their water supply restored after disconnection.
The reconnection fee has risen from Rwf5,000 to Rwf20,000.
The change applies to customers whose water supply has been disconnected because of late bill payments, water theft or other reasons.
However, before their water supply can be restored, customers must settle all outstanding water bills, pay any applicable penalties and complete the required procedures.
The revised penalties and reconnection fee replace the rates established in 2015.
The changes come as WASAC continues efforts to combat illegal water consumption, improve water-use monitoring and pursue customers who fail to meet their payment obligations.
Source: The New Times.
