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Residents of Chimalaa Street in Ntyuka Ward, Dodoma City, have appealed to the Government to urgently resolve a long-standing shortage of clean and safe water, saying they are forced to rely on contaminated sources shared with livestock and wild animals, exposing them to serious health risks.
Speaking to journalists, residents said the crisis has persisted for years despite repeated promises from leaders during election campaigns, leaving families struggling with daily access to safe water.
One resident, Eunice Chiwanga, said the situation has become unbearable and called for immediate government intervention to restore dignity and safety in the community.
She appealed to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, local leaders, and the area Member of Parliament to prioritize Chimalaa residents, saying access to clean water should not remain a privilege.
Chiwanga explained that the community depends on a single water source that is also used by livestock, while wild animals such as hyenas reportedly drink from it at night.
She added that residents are forced to use the same water for bathing, washing clothes, and other domestic needs, making it unsafe for human consumption.
Another resident, Isabela Nhambi, described the shortage as a long-standing burden and expressed frustration over what she called repeated election-time promises that have not translated into lasting solutions.
She said residents are tired of assurances and now urgently need reliable access to clean and safe water, noting that the current situation exposes families to constant health risks as they rely on contaminated sources.
Ritha Mbilinyi said many residents frequently suffer from illnesses believed to be linked to unsafe water use.
She added that during dry periods, families are forced to travel long distances to Makulu in search of water, worsening the hardship for women and children who bear the burden of water collection.
Makulu Ward Councillor Theobalt Maina said several areas in neighbouring Ntyuka Ward, including Bwawani, Chimalaa, and Chidachi streets, are among the most affected by the crisis.
He urged the Minister for Water, Jumaa Aweso, to visit the area and assess the situation firsthand, calling for urgent government measures including drilling boreholes, constructing water storage tanks, and expanding the water distribution network.
Maina noted that Minister Aweso recently allocated TSh 500 million to address water shortages in Iringa, urging that similar intervention be extended to Ntyuka Ward.
“It is unacceptable that Ntyuka Ward, located only about five kilometres from Dodoma city centre and the country’s administrative capital, continues to face such severe water shortages while national leaders are based here,” Maina said.
Residents expressed hope that the Government will act swiftly to ensure access to clean and safe water, stressing that water is a fundamental right essential for health, dignity, and development.
