Relief to Arusha residents as AUWSA executes 540bn/- water projects

DODOMA: The Arusha Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (AUWSA) has surpassed the National Development Plan target of ensuring that 95 percent of urban dwellers have access to clean water by 2025, thanks to 520bn/- worth of projects implemented within four years of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s tenure.

The authority’s four-year performance report indicates that clean water supply has reached an impressive 99 percent, significantly enhancing wastewater management in Arusha.

Addressing journalists in Dodoma, AUWSA Executive Director, Engineer Justine Rujomba, said that in the 2024/25 financial year, the authority continues to expand its water distribution network to fulfill the government’s commitment to ensuring urban residents access safe and clean water.

“With funding from the Government of Tanzania and the African Development Bank (AfDB), AUWSA has successfully completed a large-scale water project to enhance clean water availability and wastewater disposal services in Arusha City, ultimately improving public health and overall living conditions,” he stated.

Engineer Rujomba revealed that AUWSA expects to spend 4.2bn/- in the 2025/26 financial year for various projects, including the implementation of the Shangarai water project and the completion of the Kiranyi-Ngateu water project, which involves laying three kilometres of pipeline.

The funds will also be used to extend the clean water distribution network by 76 kilometres in areas such as Kati (9km), Lemara (2.5km), Moshono (10km), Murieti (15km), Safari City (8km), Ngaramtoni (9km), Longido (4km), Monduli (5.5km), Mirerani (8km) and Usa River (5km), aiming to connect 14,000 new customers annually.

Additionally, the authority plans to relocate 2,370 water meters closer to residential areas to enhance efficiency, benefiting customers in Kati (1,000), Lemara (700), Moshono (100), Murieti (100), Safari City (150), Monduli (200) and Usa River (120).

AUWSA has also set aside internal funds to improve and expand the wastewater network by 10km, covering areas such as Ilboru (900m), Sekei (250m), Mrombo (200m), Kimandolu (350m), Moshono (450m), Lemara (300m), Olorieni (650m), Mianzini (250m), Olasiti (400m) and Njiro (1,250m).

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Engineer Rujomba assured residents that Arusha City no longer faces water shortages, as every neighbourhood receives an adequate supply, even extending beyond city limits.

“We have witnessed an increase in customers from 6,262 to 10,892, all of whom now have access to clean and safe water. The city no longer experiences water scarcity,” he affirmed.

According to Engineer Rujomba, AUWSA has successfully increased water production capacity to 200 million litres per day, surpassing the city’s demand of 139 million litres.

“Arusha now has a surplus of water, and we are currently expanding distribution to areas outside the city,” he added.

Furthermore, AUWSA, in collaboration with the Netherlands water authorities (VEI), is implementing a programme to provide clean and safe water to low-income households.

Through this initiative, over 6,000 households have benefited from affordable water connections, with each connection costing only 30,000/-.