Residents of Mavuji village in Kilwa Masoko have started receiving piped water after the first drop from a major water project serving 28 towns was released, raising hopes of an end to recurring water shortages and waterborne diseases.
The development has been welcomed by residents, with elderly villagers offering prayers for President Samia Suluhu Hassan after witnessing the start of water services in the area.
The Mavuji project is part of the wider Water Supply Project for 28 Towns, which is being implemented at a cost of TZS44 billion and is currently 94.3 percent complete.
The project is expected to benefit more than 59,983 people, with the Mavuji River providing the main source. Once fully operational, the system is expected to produce about 5.5 million litres of water a day.
Water Minister Jumaa Aweso, who inspected the project, said residents should not have to wait for long periods to be connected to the water network once the infrastructure is available.
He directed the Kilwa Masoko Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (KIMUWASA) to ensure new customers are connected within seven days.
Mr Aweso said the seven-day requirement should also apply to water authorities across the country.
The minister's directive is aimed at shortening the waiting period for households that have already secured access to water infrastructure but remain without connections.
For residents of Mavuji, the arrival of piped water marks a major change after years of relying on less reliable sources.
The village has previously faced water-related challenges, with residents associating poor access to safe water with recurring outbreaks of diseases such as cholera.
The completion of the project is therefore expected not only to improve access to water but also to support public health and reduce the burden on households that have had to spend time and money searching for water.
The government is implementing the 28-town water project as part of efforts to expand access to reliable and safe water in urban and peri-urban communities.
With the project already providing water to Mavuji residents while construction continues elsewhere, authorities are expected to complete the remaining works before the system reaches full capacity.