Perspectives on Rapid Urban Growth and The Potential of Residents to Access Quality Sanitation Through Decentralised Nature-Based Wastewater Treatment Systems in Kigali City, Rwanda
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This review highlights the possibility of Residents of Kigali City, Rwanda adopting Decentralised Nature-based Wastewater Treatment (DNWT) for safe urban Sanitation management. The Government of Rwanda (GoR) has sound environmental sanitation policies; however, rapid urban expansion due to population growth has over-stressed and rendered facilities and services for the safe disposal of human waste inadequate. Because of the dangers posed by improper disposal of waste, especially human waste, it is necessary to seek sustainable solutions. Approximately 95% of households in Kigali City (about 1,745,555 people) rely on on-site sanitation systems, involving the use of pit latrines and septic tanks, with limited sludge management. The urban population is projected to rise from 3.7 million in 2022 to at least 16.8 million by 2052. This rapid urban growth is expected to put more pressure on existing sanitation facilities, thereby increasing the risks of improper wastewater (WW) management and limiting access to quality sanitation. This study explores rapid urban growth and the potential for residents in Kigali City to access quality sanitation through DNWT systems. The existing sanitation gaps associated with rapid urban growth are identified and evaluated to assess the suitability of DNWT systems as sustainable alternatives due to their flexibility, context-appropriate design, eco-friendliness, lower capital costs, and ability to expand alongside growing urban populations. Moreover, the study examines findings from previous studies demonstrating the effectiveness of these systems in improving wastewater quality and enhancing pollutant removal efficiency, thereby highlighting their strong potential to improve access to quality sanitation while simultaneously delivering ecological benefits. The successful implementation of the system depends on effective integration into urban planning frameworks, appropriate system design, institutional support, and active community engagement. The study concludes that DNWT solutions represent sustainable alternatives with proven technical and environmental performance that closely align with Rwanda’s national priorities for green and inclusive urban development. Constructed Wetland/Hybrid Nature-Based Systems are low-cost, highly scalable, with high community acceptance and should therefore be embraced.
Institutions: Atlantic International University, Bingham University
Language: English
Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7208713701