Consequences of low sustainability in the effectiveness of national strategies to increase water access in the rural areas: evidence from three central regions of Tanzania.

Abstract

Tanzania, as many other countries, has designed an ambitious Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Plan (RWSSP) to improve increase access to rural water: from 53% in 2005, up to 74% in 2015 and 90% in 2025. Emphasis is placed on the production of new schemes and only 6% of investment is foreseen for rehabilitation. This paper presents an analysis of the current functionality-time relationship for water points found in en extensive water point mapping study made in three regions of Tanzania, covering 15% of the total rural population of the country. Results show very low performance over time, since only between 35% and 47% of water points are working 15 years after installation. Consequences for the accomplishment of the RWSSP are discussed and some measures proposed.