A disagreement has emerged between the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) and the Mwanza Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (MWAUWASA) over the cause of recent water supply interruptions that affected parts of Mwanza City.
In a public statement issued on Sunday, TANESCO rejected claims made by MWAUWASA that power supply challenges were responsible for disruptions in water production and distribution in the city.
The utility company said information released by MWAUWASA on June 9, 2026, linking water shortages to electricity outages was not supported by technical findings.
“TANESCO wishes to inform the public that the information is not true,” the statement said, noting that a similar allegation had been made in September 2025.
The power utility said it conducted a detailed technical investigation at MWAUWASA’s Butimba and Capri Point water treatment facilities following the latest claims.
According to TANESCO, the investigation established that electricity supply to the facilities remained stable throughout the period in question.
The company said records showed normal voltage levels and no interruption of power services that could have halted water production operations.
Instead, TANESCO said the assessment pointed to faults within MWAUWASA’s own systems as the source of the problem.
A joint inspection involving engineers from both institutions was carried out on June 11, 2026, during which replacement equipment was reportedly procured and installed to address some of the identified technical challenges.
The utility further claimed that some of the key issues discovered during the inspection had yet to be fully resolved by the water authority.
The statement comes amid concerns from Mwanza residents who have experienced intermittent water shortages in recent days, prompting questions over the reliability of essential public services.
TANESCO maintained that there was no electricity outage or shortage of power that could have affected water production and distribution as indicated in MWAUWASA’s earlier communication.
The company also called on public institutions to verify technical information before issuing statements that could mislead the public and affect the reputation of other service providers.
“Challenges can occur in any system at any time. What is important is for institutions to identify the root cause, communicate accurately and take corrective action,” the utility said.
The latest exchange highlights the close interdependence between electricity and water services, two critical sectors that directly affect households, businesses and public institutions.
While TANESCO has publicly ruled out power supply failures as the cause of the disruption, MWAUWASA had not immediately responded to the utility’s latest statement, leaving residents awaiting further clarification on what exactly triggered the water supply challenges and when a lasting solution will be achieved.
For Mwanza residents, the focus now remains on the restoration of reliable water services as the two institutions work to address the underlying technical issues.
