DAR ES SALAAM: FOR generations, a simple search for water has defined the daily lives of millions of rural Tanzanians. In many villages, the first hours of the day were not spent preparing for school, farming or business activities, but walking long distances in search of water.
Women and children carried the greatest burden, often travelling several kilometres to rivers, shallow wells and other unsafe sources.
The consequences were far-reaching. Unsafe water exposed communities to preventable diseases, while the time spent collecting water reduced opportunities for education, economic activities and social development. For many rural families, access to clean and safe water remained a distant dream.
Today, that story is changing. A new chapter is emerging through sustained government commitment, institutional reforms and strategic investments aimed at transforming rural water supply across Tanzania.
At the centre of this transformation is the Programme for Results (PforR), implemented under the Sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (SRWSSP), which is redefining how water services are planned, delivered and sustained. The results are already significant.
According to the Government, implementation of the programme’s first phase increased rural access to clean and safe water from 64 per cent to 85.2 per cent, enabling more than 10.2 million Tanzanians to benefit from improved services.
Beyond the numbers lies a powerful message: Investing in water is investing in human development. The programme demonstrates how results-based financing can accelerate progress while strengthening institutions responsible for delivering essential public services.
Unlike traditional approaches that focus mainly on constructing infrastructure, the Programme for Results model places equal importance on accountability, effective management, sustainability and institutional performance. Speaking during an interview in Mwanza recently, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) Director General Engineer Wolta Kirita described the first phase as a major milestone in Tanzania’s journey towards universal rural water access.
“The programme has not only concentrated on constructing water infrastructure but has also strengthened the institutions responsible for managing water services and ensuring their long-term sustainability,” he said.
According to Engineer Kirita, improved governance systems have enabled water service providers to operate more efficiently, while better planning, monitoring and maintenance mechanisms have increased the likelihood that completed projects will continue serving communities for many years.
This approach represents a major shift in understanding what successful water development means. A functioning water scheme is not simply one that has been constructed; it is one that continues delivering safe and reliable services long after completion. For rural communities, the transformation is visible in everyday life.
Women and girls who previously spent hours searching for water now have more time for education, farming, entrepreneurship and family responsibilities. Children arrive at school with greater confidence and improved attendance, while households benefit from better hygiene practices.
The health benefits are equally important. Access to clean water and improved sanitation reduces exposure to waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea and cholera.
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Health experts have repeatedly emphasised that safe water is among the most effective investments a country can make in disease prevention and improved quality of life. Recognising this connection, the programme combines water supply improvements with sanitation interventions to ensure communities receive comprehensive services. Clean water alone cannot achieve maximum impact without proper sanitation, hygiene awareness and community participation.
The success of the programme has also been built on strong partnerships. Engineer Mashaka Sitta, Programme Coordinator from the Ministry of Water, explained that implementation involves collaboration between the Ministry of Water, the President’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) and the Ministry of Health.
This multi-sector approach ensures that water investments reach households, schools and healthcare facilities, creating wider social benefits. Reliable water services in schools support hygiene, sanitation and menstrual health management for girls, helping reduce absenteeism and improve learning outcomes.
In health facilities, dependable water supply strengthens infection prevention, improves cleanliness and supports the delivery of quality healthcare services. These improvements demonstrate that water is not merely an infrastructure issue; it is a foundation for education, health and economic development.
Building on the achievements of the first phase, the Government has approved a second phase of the programme. The next stage will focus on expanding coverage, strengthening sanitation systems and improving service delivery.
Engineer Sitta said the second phase will receive 200 million US dollars from the World Bank, with the ambitious goal of increasing rural access to clean and safe water to 100 per cent.
Achieving this target would mark a historic milestone in Tanzania’s development journey. It would mean that millions of rural citizens no longer have to depend on unsafe sources or spend valuable hours searching for water. The economic impact of reliable water access is equally significant.
Water supports agriculture, livestock production, small businesses and local industries. When communities spend less time collecting water, they gain more time for productive activities that generate income and strengthen household livelihoods.
Women, who have traditionally carried the greatest responsibility for water collection, stand to benefit the most. Access to nearby and reliable water sources creates opportunities for entrepreneurship, education and greater participation in community development.
The expansion of rural water services also supports Tanzania’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal Six, which calls for universal access to safe water and sanitation.
However, officials acknowledge that maintaining progress will require continued investment in maintenance, community ownership, financial management and institutional capacity. The lesson from the first phase is clear: Infrastructure alone cannot guarantee success. Sustainable water services require strong institutions, responsible management and communities that understand their role in protecting investments.
As Tanzania enters the next phase of its rural water transformation, expectations remain high. Millions more people are expected to gain access to clean and safe water, improving health, strengthening livelihoods and creating new opportunities. For rural families across Tanzania, clean water is becoming more than a development target. It is becoming a symbol of dignity, opportunity and hope, one drop at a time.