Recent data from the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) shows notable progress. In the 2024/25 financial year, 37 out of 83 water authorities had approved water meter policies, up from 31 authorities in 2023/24.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s Water Meter Policy is increasingly proving to be a vital tool in enhancing efficiency and accountability in the country’s water sector, as authorities step up efforts to curb losses and improve service delivery.
The policy provides a comprehensive framework for managing water meters across jurisdictions served by water utilities, while also standardising installation procedures for customers. Its broader goal is to reduce non-revenue water and improve operational efficiency.
Recent data from the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) shows notable progress. In the 2024/25 financial year, 37 out of 83 water authorities had approved water meter policies, up from 31 authorities in 2023/24.
Authorities that have adopted the policy include those in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kahama, Moshi, Musoma, Mwanza, Shinyanga, Songea, Tabora, Tanga, Bukoba, Kigoma, Babati, Bariadi and Geita, among others.
Alongside policy adoption, regulatory guidelines now require all water authorities to establish comprehensive water meter databases. These systems are designed to maintain detailed records for each meter, enabling better monitoring, maintenance and long-term planning.
Progress has been significant. As of 2024/25, 42 water authorities had established meter databases, compared to just six in the previous financial year marking a sharp rise in data-driven management.
Despite these gains, water loss remains a major challenge. EWURA’s report indicates that of the 463,740 customer complaints received, 58.6 percent were related to leakages and low water pressure.
Sewerage issues accounted for 12.6 percent of complaints, followed by billing and metering concerns at 11.5 percent, water connections at 4.5 percent, and other issues at 12.8 percent highlighting persistent inefficiencies in infrastructure and service delivery.
In response, the government, through the Ministry of Water’s 2025/26 budget, has outlined interventions aimed at reducing billing-related complaints, improving revenue collection and expanding the use of prepaid water meters.
Prepaid meters are expected to encourage efficient water use while improving the detection and control of leakages that contribute to financial losses for both consumers and service providers.
As of April 2025, a total of 16,809 customers had been connected to prepaid meters out of more than two million nationwide. Of these, 13,282 installations were carried out by urban water authorities, while the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) installed 3,527 in rural areas.
However, experts caution that policy progress must be matched with targeted investments to address structural challenges.
Economic analyst Tumaini Munale emphasised the need for investment in ageing infrastructure, particularly through pipe replacement programmes and modern leak detection technologies.
“Such measures will significantly reduce water losses and improve distribution efficiency,” he said, adding that effective pressure management systems are also essential.
He further underscored the importance of strengthening customer service systems to address complaints related to billing, metering and sewerage. Digital billing platforms, rapid response mechanisms and wider adoption of prepaid meters were cited as critical solutions.
Public education, he added, is equally important in helping consumers understand proper water use and meter reading, thereby reducing disputes and improving compliance.
Mr Munale also called for stronger regulatory oversight through regular inspections, performance benchmarks and enhanced accountability for water authorities.
Echoing similar views, Dr Reubeni Lumbagala stressed the urgent need to rehabilitate ageing infrastructure as a long-term solution to water loss.
“There is a need for integrated water resource management systems that link water sources, infrastructure and user demand,” he said.
He noted that challenges such as low water pressure and leakages are not only technical, but also driven by rapid urbanisation, population growth, inadequate planning and the impacts of climate change.
Meanwhile, the EWURA report points to improvements in customer service. Of all complaints received, 306,156 equivalent to 66 percent were fully resolved, up from 61 percent in the previous financial year.
Notably, 82 percent of resolved complaints were addressed within five working days, in line with EWURA’s 2020 service quality regulations.
The report attributes these gains to improved complaint-handling systems, but notes that further progress will depend on enhanced monitoring, adequate staffing and stronger accountability frameworks.
To sustain these improvements, EWURA recommends that all water authorities adopt formal customer service charters. Currently, 73 authorities equivalent to 88 percent have approved such charters, signalling growing institutional commitment to responsiveness and customer care.
As Tanzania advances its water sector reforms, the success of the Water Meter Policy will depend on sustained investment, effective implementation and the ability to address longstanding infrastructure challenges alongside rising demand.
