Prevalence of rooftop rainwater harvesting to Replenish Accessibility of Clean and Safe Water among Community Households of Nyarugenge District, Rwanda

Abstract: Access to clean and safe water remains a major public health challenge globally, regionally, and locally, particularly in Nyarugenge District, Rwanda. Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting (RRWH) offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to supplement the water supply, yet its adoption remains limited. In Kigali, only 4.5% of households utilize a complete RRWH system, and there is limited documentation on its uptake in Nyarugenge. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of RRWH among community households in Nyarugenge District and examine how knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) influence its adoption. A mixed-methods approach was employed, using both quantitative and qualitative data within a descriptive cross-sectional design. Stratified purposive sampling targeted households with RRWH systems in Kimisagara and Kigali sectors. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with findings presented through descriptive and inferential statistics, including graphs and charts. The results showed that 67.1% of RRWH users were male and 32.9% female. Most households (91.0%) still rely on piped water, with only 5.4% using rainwater for domestic consumption. Among those with RRWH systems, 38.5% used containers with a capacity between 501 and 1000 liters. The overall uptake of RRWH in the community was 49.9%. KAP showed statistically significant influence on adoption, with a p-value of 0.0123 at a 95% confidence interval. This study highlights the need for increased awareness, technical support, and incentives to promote RRWH as a complementary water source in urban settings. Keywords: Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting, community household, Access, clean, safe, replenish. Title: Prevalence of rooftop rainwater harvesting to Replenish Accessibility of Clean and Safe Water among Community Households of Nyarugenge District, Rwanda Author: NIYOMUGENGA ISRAEL, Maurice B. Silali International Journal of Life Sciences Research ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online) Vol. 13, Issue 2, April 2025 - June 2025 Page No: 92-99 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 30-June-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15773209 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/upload/book/Prevalence%20of%20rooftop%20rainwater%20harvesting-30062025-2.pdf