By Lilian Kasenene, Morogoro
The construction of Kidunda Dam, with a capacity to store 190 billion liters of water, is expected to significantly improve water supply in the Coastal and Dar es Salaam regions.
The project, which costs TZS 336 billion, aims to provide a long-term solution to water shortages in these areas.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA), Engineer Bwire Mkama, shared this information during a visit by members of the Tanzania Editors’ Forum (TEF), who toured the project site to assess its progress.
Mkama explained that Dar es Salaam has long faced water supply challenges, especially during the dry season.
However, the completion of Kidunda Dam will help ensure a steady supply of clean and safe water, addressing these issues effectively.
Currently, the project is over 27% complete. Once finished, it will enhance water availability and reliability for millions of residents in the affected regions.
"This dam has been a plan on paper since our country’s independence in 1961.
However, under the leadership of the sixth administration, the government has finally implemented it, using domestic funds," Mkama stated.
Kidunda Dam is located along the Ruvu River, which is the primary water source for Dar es Salaam and the Coast Region, supplying over 87% of the total water produced in the Ruvu area.
Frequent water shortages in the past have been caused by fluctuating water levels in the Ruvu River due to climate change.
These shortages have disrupted water production and negatively affected domestic and economic activities in the region.
Janeth Kisoma, Manager for Environmental Affairs and Water User Associations at the Wami/Ruvu Basin Water Board said that Kidunda Dam is among the key water sources under the board’s management.
She also mentioned plans to designate the area as a protected water conservation zone.
Kisoma highlighted the board’s collaboration with various stakeholders to preserve the environment.
So far, 29 livestock watering troughs have been built in villages surrounding the Ruvu River to prevent livestock from entering the river and contaminating the water source.
"Our key role is to protect and conserve water sources, and we are carrying out this responsibility under the Water Resources Management Act No. 11 of 2009, amended by Act No. 8 of 2022," she explained.
The Wami/Ruvu Basin Water Board manages 283 water sources, including dams, wells, rivers, and springs.
Kisoma stressed the importance of regulating water usage to ensure that individuals and industries seeking water for agriculture, electricity generation, and domestic consumption obtain permits while maintaining ecological balance.
Speaking after the visit, Tanzania Editors’ Forum Chairman Deodatus Balile praised the media’s role in raising awareness about Dar es Salaam’s persistent water shortages.
He noted that for years, news outlets have reported on drought, water rationing, and declining water levels in the Ruvu River, repeatedly calling for the construction of Kidunda Dam as a solution.
"Through continuous media coverage, the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan took action and initiated this project, which will provide a long-term solution to Dar es Salaam’s water crisis," Balile said.
While commending the government’s efforts, Balile urged the media to continue reporting on water shortages to ensure that authorities remain committed to solving the issue.
"Projects like this, which require substantial funding and technical expertise, should be replicated in other regions.
By doing so, the government will fulfill its responsibility of providing essential services to the people," he added.
The Kidunda Dam project is expected to be completed by June 2026.
