How Sh 495.7 billion projects will solve water issues in Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam. The Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (Dawasa) has unveiled a series of projects, valued at Sh495.7 billion, designed to alleviate water shortages in its service areas.

This is part of efforts to align its services with the expected pace of the envisaged National Vision 2050.

Dawasa serves the Dar es Salaam city and its suburbs, nearby towns and villages in the Coast Region.

Speaking to journalists and editors in Dar es Salaam on August 8, 2024, Acting CEO, Mr Mkama Bwire highlighted several key initiatives that are expected to significantly impact the region.

One of the most promising projects is the Kidunda Dam, which is projected to cost Sh329 billion upon completion.

Eng Bwire stated that this project is currently 21 percent complete and is expected to be finished by June 2026.

After completion, the dam will have the capacity to store 190 billion litres of water.

The project would also include the construction of a 20-megawatt power generation plant that will be connected to the national grid.

“When this project is completed, it will significantly help us keep up with the demand in the areas we serve and enable us to operate without water rationing, especially during the dry season,” he said.

Another major initiative is the Kimbiji water project in Kigamboni, valued at Sh34.5 billion.

This project will involve constructing a tank with a capacity of 9 million litres, installing a network covering at least 119 kilometres, and building a pumping station.

It is expected to benefit residents of Majohe, Kivule, Magole, Msongola, Chanika, Charambe, and nearby areas. The project is scheduled for completion by December this year.

“This will greatly assist in water availability in Kigamboni due to its size and capacity to serve the people in these areas,” Eng Bwire noted.

In addition, the Mbezi Beach sewage treatment project, worth Sh132.2 billion, aims to tackle the challenges caused by inadequate sewage infrastructure in Dar es Salaam.

Expected to be completed by February 2025, this project will include the installation of a 101-kilometre pipeline and a treatment plant with a capacity of 16,000 cubic centimetres.

Eng Bwire emphasised that it will serve as a catalyst for further improvements in sewage infrastructure across the region.

He revealed that the project has already reached 55.4 percent completion.

“Our sewage systems are still not optimal, and we believe this project will help reduce issues for its beneficiaries in Dar es Salaam,” he said.

Eng Bwire also noted that Dawasa has increased its water production capacity from 520,000,000 litres per day to 534,600,000 litres per day, an increase of 14,600,000 litres daily.

“Our water storage capacity has also risen from 153,649,000 litres to 183,649,000 litres, an increase of 30,000,000 litres,” he added.

The water transportation and distribution network has expanded from 4,690 kilometres to 7,087 kilometres, an increase of 2,396.3 kilometers.

Additionally, the sewage network has grown from 450 kilometres to 517.12 kilometres, an increase of 67.12 kilometres.

The number of clean water connections has increased from 343,019 to 438,177, an additional 95,158 customers.

However, Eng Bwire acknowledged that challenges remain, hindering the assurance of water availability in their service areas.

“Public awareness is still not satisfactory, and this hinders many things because understanding is greatly needed for water services. Unfortunately, many do not have sufficient awareness of various issues,” he said.

He also mentioned that unplanned housing development poses a challenge for Dawasa to lay infrastructure in those areas, as damage often occurs shortly after installation.

Water loss continues to be a chronic problem due to frequent issues.

“We have implemented strategies to identify those responsible so that we can take appropriate measures to improve services,” he said.

Additionally, long-standing customer debts are also a challenge that requires Dawasa to spend extra time following up.

“Currently, we are making more efforts to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders to explore alternative ways to finance our projects to reduce these challenges and improve water services,” he said.