Enhancing water security and climate resilience in urban areas

Context

Access to drinking water and sanitation in Tanzania has improved, but still falls short of the government’s targets. High population growth, especially in urban areas, destroyed ecosystems and environmental pollution are making safe water resources scarce in many regions. Around half of the people in Tanzania had no access to clean drinking water in 2022. The municipal water supply and the handling of wastewater are inadequate in various respects. In addition, water resources are very unevenly distributed. Climate change is further exacerbating water scarcity. This jeopardises the country’s socio-economic development.

Objective

The conditions for improving water security in the catchment areas of medium-sized cities are adapted to the challenges of climate change.

Approach

The project builds on the experience of the previous module and also applies the results to the cities of Singida, Sumbawanga and Mpanda. It works in a number of different areas. For example:

• It promotes climate change adaptation skills and organises training courses for experts from the Ministry of Water, water and sanitation companies and local authorities. It uses digital systems, for example to analyse climate impacts.
• It supports the joint coordination of relevant areas of public administration with private companies, particularly in climate change adaptation and wastewater disposal. To this end, it is building up expertise in municipal administrations and water authorities in order to develop water security plans and climate-adapted water and sanitation services.
• The project also contributes to climate change adaptation by using water resources in an integrated manner and protecting natural resources in water catchment areas. To this end, it promotes cooperation between various public and private-sector actors and works to ensure that women, young people and disadvantaged groups are taken into consideration in planning.

Last update: November 2023