Kimbondo residents in Kinshasa deprived of drinking water for over a decade

For over ten years, many residents of Kimbondo, located in the Mont-Ngafula commune of Kinshasa, have faced a persistent struggle to access clean drinking water. The public water distribution company, REGIDESO, has provided irregular or virtually non-existent service, forcing the community to depend on private boreholes for their daily water requirements.

This lack of consistent water supply has significantly impacted household living conditions. During the rainy season, some families collect rainwater for domestic use. However, the situation becomes far more challenging during the dry season, when the reliance on boreholes intensifies. Residents frequently travel considerable distances, carrying containers, to purchase water from private borehole vendors.

While this reliance on private boreholes serves as the primary alternative for many, questions about the quality of the distributed water persist. Borehole operators maintain that regular maintenance and quality control checks are conducted, typically every six months, to ensure the water's safety for consumers. Despite these efforts and the daily struggle, residents hold onto the hope that REGIDESO will eventually restore regular water service to their taps.

Raymond Matundu, the regional director for REGIDESO Kinshasa-Ouest, acknowledged the situation, attributing it to various technical and operational constraints. He assured that projects are underway to gradually improve the potable water supply in this part of the capital. However, for the inhabitants of Kimbondo, the ongoing water scarcity remains a pressing daily concern.