Sh870m set to boost Dodoma water supply
What you need to know:
Government faces major challenge to meet anticipated rise in demand for the precious liquid in municipality where shortages already exist
Dodoma. The Dodoma Urban Water Supply and Sewage Authority (Duwasa) has set aside at least Sh870 million to extend its provision of water services to more areas amid an anticipated rise in demand. Authorities say they foresee a significant rise in water demand as the government moves its administrative seat from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma.
The Ministry of Water and Irrigation has already injected the authority with a total of Sh500 million to have the crucial project completed on time.
The on-going project, which is expected to be completed by May this year, is extending water network to the new areas of Mahungu, Ndachi, Chidachi, Makulu, Mlimwa and Miganga.
“These new areas located on the municipality’s fringes and people there have gone for years without clean and safe water,” Duwasa’s managing director David Palangyo told The Citizen.
He also noted that Duwasa was facing difficulties time in extending better service delivery due to a large number of defaulters.
“As I am speaking to you, various key public institutions owe the authority at least Sh2 billion,which has been accumulated between February 2016 and February 2017,” he said. Mr Palangyo said they had already forwarded the matter to the parent ministry seeking better ways of claiming all unpaid bills.
As of March 2016, Duwasa had already constructed water conveyance system of at least 427.3 km within the municipality, he said.
“The government is relocating to Dodoma, therefore, the parent ministry needs to turn its focus here, and support the region to ensure there is enough clean and safe water in all areas,” said the Duwasa boss.
Mr Palangyo also expressed optimism that the completion of the Farkwa Dam Water Project (FDWP) would end water woes in the region.
According to him, the $420 million World Bank funded project will store water up to 1,110 metres above sea level, with an inundation area of around 48 square km.
The dam will be 35 metres high, and have an estimated total storage of 290,000 -850,000 cubic metres.
Demand for water in Dodoma Municipality is currently at 46 million litres per day, but the Dodoma Urban Water Supply and Sewage Authority distributes about 61.5 million litres.
It is estimated that the government shift alone will bring in more than two million new people, a significant rise in population needing the precious liquid.
