Water shortages in several Kinshasa communes: REGIDESO cites rain and breakdowns

Drinking-water supplies are disrupted in Mont-Ngafula, Ngaliema, Masina and other Kinshasa neighborhoods, where residents report outages lasting as long as several weeks. René Descartes Toko, REGIDESO's distribution director for western Kinshasa, says heavy rains carry sand, mud and waste into water sources, slowing treatment and reservoir replenishment. Electrical and pumping-system breakdowns have also reduced production capacity. REGIDESO says repairs are underway and urges customers to pay their bills to fund maintenance and increase production.