The joint venture between RSK Tanzania and eWATERservices is part of the Accelerating Solar Water Pumping via Innovative Financing (ASWPIF) project, which is funded by TIB Development Bank and supported by the World Bank.
Joseph Fingo, RSK Tanzania’s project manager, highlighted the challenges many rural residents face: “Most people in Singida and Dodoma lack household water connections and rely on public distribution points, which are either insufficient or non-existent, leaving large communities without reliable access to clean water.”
Fingo added, “The solar-powered dispensers now ensure water is available around the clock. To date, over 105,000 people have benefited, with an additional 3,500 gaining access in June 2024 alone.”
Since its inception in 2020, the project has already brought eWATER Smart Taps to 54 locations across the country and is on track to serve 135,000 people upon completion. The installation process has employed over 16 skilled professionals, including civil and mechanical engineers, alongside 100 local laborers from the villages. A live dashboard from eWATERservices reports that more than 206 million liters of water have been dispensed from 420 Smart Taps installed so far in Dodoma and Singida.
Victoria Beach, Head of Operations at eWATERservices, underscored the importance of sustainability: “Approximately 40% of rural water systems in sub-Saharan Africa fail within two years due to poor revenue management and maintenance. This has left more people without clean water today than two decades ago.”
eWATER’s Smart Taps incorporate advanced technology that collects and transmits key data, such as revenue and water distribution metrics, to their dashboard. This allows technicians to promptly address any issues, such as solar panel or battery malfunctions, ensuring an uninterrupted water supply.
Beach explained how the model prioritizes accountability: “Consumers purchase eWATER credit via mobile money, paying only for the water they use. This system creates a sustainable model, eliminating the need for continuous aid. Revenue collected is used to maintain the taps, pumps, tanks, pipework, and even the wages for technicians and water resellers.”
This project represents a significant shift in how water systems are maintained and funded in rural Africa, with a focus on long-term sustainability and community empowerment.