Water customers across the country owe water utilities a combined TZS 83.9 billion, raising concerns over revenue collection and the ability of service providers to maintain and improve water services.
The outstanding debt was presented to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water and Environment during its meeting in Dodoma.
The committee, chaired by MP Jackson Kiswaga, directed authorities to pursue the outstanding payments while ensuring that measures taken to recover the money do not undermine access to essential water services.
The committee said resolving the debts was important for strengthening the financial position of water utilities and enabling them to continue improving services for citizens.
Minister for Water Jumaa Aweso said the Government was already implementing measures to improve payment compliance and prevent water bills from accumulating.
Among the measures is the introduction of smart prepaid water meters, which allow customers to pay for water while part of their payments can be used to clear outstanding debts.
The ministry is also engaging customers with large arrears to establish practical repayment arrangements, Mr Aweso said.
He explained that delivering water to households and businesses comes with substantial operating costs, including electricity, water-treatment chemicals, salaries and maintenance of water infrastructure.
“A customer who pays their water bill on time contributes directly to strengthening and sustaining water services in the country,” Mr Aweso said.
The TZS 83.9 billion in unpaid bills represents revenue that water utilities could otherwise use to meet operational costs and maintain infrastructure.
For customers, the issue goes beyond paying an individual bill. Reliable water supply depends on utilities having sufficient funds to operate treatment plants, power pumping systems, repair damaged networks and maintain distribution infrastructure.
The Government’s push to recover the money therefore comes as part of wider efforts to make water utilities more financially sustainable while expanding access to reliable services.
However, the use of prepaid meters and debt-recovery measures also places greater emphasis on ensuring that customers receive accurate bills and that genuine disputes over charges are resolved fairly.
The parliamentary committee’s intervention signals increased scrutiny of water utilities’ revenue collection as the Government seeks to balance affordability, accountability and reliable service delivery.
For citizens, the message is straightforward: paying water bills on time helps keep the system running, while water authorities must ensure that customers receive efficient, transparent and dependable services in return.
