THE Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA) plans to spend 425.9bn/- in the 2023/24 financial year for execution of seven water projects, including construction of the long-awaited Kidunda Dam in Morogoro.
The dam has been described as an immediate solution towards stabilising water flows in the Ruvu river– the major water source for Dar es Salaam and Coast regions, accounting for over 90 per cent of the entire volume of water produced for the commercial city dwellers.
DAWASA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kiula Kingu said the construction of the dam with a storage capacity of 190 million square metres is expected to cost 346bn/- upon completion.
He said the construction of the dam will be a solution to water service challenges in Dar es Salaam and Coast regions.
The dam construction is expected to take 36 months and the reserve could sustain the availability of precious liquid for three years, should there be drought.
Mr Kingu outlined several benefits associated with Kidunda Dam project as the construction of a 75-kilometre tarmac road and a bridge which will facilitate movement of people surrounding the area and generation of 20MW which will be connected to the national grid.
“Kidunda Dam will regulate flow and improve the reliability of the main water supply source for Dar es Salaam, and will augment low flows in the river system during critical periods, to allow uninterrupted supply to the two water treatment works supplying the city” he said.
He said DAWASA wants to come up with the national water grid by creating a water network of all of its water sources as they currently produce 590-million litres a day while consumption stands at 544-million litres.
The main sources of water in Dar es Salaam are surface water from Lower Ruvu and Upper Ruvu plants in the Ruvu River, the Mtoni Plant on the Kizinga River and groundwater from 204 water wells.
Besides serving Dar es Salaam region, the authority also serves some areas of Coast, Morogoro and Tanga regions.
He said the strategic projects aim at increasing water volumes, storage capacity, distribution network and improving service and connection to people living in remote areas which have no DAWASA water network.
Mr Kingu mentioned other projects to be undertaken as construction of Rufiji water plant, Kwala dry port water project, Pangani Kibaha and construction of nine major state of the art water wells in Kigamboni.
He affirmed the authority’s commitment to ensure realisable water supply and safety as they eye for a service where a customer can tap water and drink for assured quality and hygiene.
The CEO also announced the commencement of the construction of a Waste Water Management Plant and Sewerage Network Project at Mbezi Beach area in Dar es Salaam.
The Mbezi beach project is implemented by DAWASA on behalf of the government and the World Bank at a cost of 132.bn/- whereas the waste water management plant will recycle 16-million litres a day.
Other water sanitation projects include construction of 30 state of the art public toilet service points for customers as well purchase of 10-new water waster vehicles as they join the fray for keeping the environment clean.
He said for the sewerage services the authority has reached 43 per cent of the city residents but it eyes to bring the services closer to the community by engaging the private sector as well.
Commenting on the projects implemented in the 2022/23 financial year, the CEO said that DAWASA executed projects worth 219.4bn/- and widened its customer base to more than 700,000 residents.
The authority increased revenue collection from 5bn/- monthly to 13.5bn/- enhancing its financial capability to run the projects from their own source.
In November last year, President Samia witnessed the signing of an agreement to construct the long-awaited Kidunda Dam in Morogoro between Dawasa and Sino Hydro.
President Samia reiterated that construction of Kidunda dam will be the solution to the growing demand of water supply in Dar es Salaam.
