Maji

Eng.Magai Kakuru

KILWA DISTRICT COUNCIL

WATER DEPARTMENT

Introduction:

Water department formerly water and works department is one among the thirteen (13) departments in Kilwa District council.

STATUS OF WATER SUPPLY

The source of water supplies in the district is mostly through a multitude as shallow wells, Boreholes fitted with submersible pumps, gravity, schemes, local wells and water harvest facilities. Ground water supplies in some areas are favorable for boreholes and shallow wells which are for domestic use but in other areas ground water contain some dissolved minerals which make it not suitable for human consumption. The number of rivers flowing throughout the year is very small, and thus very little people depend on surface water from rivers.

The district has 374 shallow wells 16 in which 195 are functioning, 179 are not working, 22 piped schemes, 34 rain water harvesting scheme and gravity scheme.

Currently the water supply coverage in the district is 43% in which the table below shows water sources and number of people who are getting clean and safe water.

The main functions;

• Facilitate training to WATSAN, water committee on how to run the project
• To supply safe and clean  water to the community
• To carry out geographical/survey using basin water offices
• To drill deep and shallow wells
• To resolve all matters concerning water in the District
• To repair and Install submersible pump, hand pump and surface pump
• To identify sources of water in the district
• Encouraging the community to harvest rain water.

Challenges

Water department has some challenges which hinder the daily operation.

• Insufficient technical staff
• Vandalisms of water infrastructures

Lack of reliable transport for monitoring, supervision and evaluation of development projects and plans.

Rapid price increase and fluctuation of goods and services.

Low advocacy of the community to contribute on development activities/projects.

Untimely disbursement of funds from the Central Government and Local Authority for implementation of some planned intervention that may lead to late completion of the planned activities.

How to overcome challenges

Water department has made some efforts to over come the challenges;

• To request the central government to effect timely disbursement of fund that will enable timely completion of the planned undertaking and sources revenue in order to realize adequate funds that will enable completion of planned activities on time.
• To ensure that the people participate fully in identifying formulation, implementing and evaluating water development plans.
• Raising the community's advocacy for participation in implementation and sustainability of water development activities.
• Ensure cost effective to accommodate price changes.

• To incorporate on the District council budget number of staff required to be employed.
• Establishing water user entities

    Way forward

The council should educate the communities that they have the resources they need and the ability to identify and use them in their own development, instead of thinking that the resources will come from the government or external aid.

The council should produce clear indicators for measuring community development by looking at the steps taken economically and socially and indicating demand for these services.

To ensure cost effective analysis to provide reasonable price changes.

Raising the community's advocacy for participation in implementation and sustainability of development activities.

To establish close and sustainable cooperation between all authorities/institutions concerned with community development.