Major water consumers in the public and private sectors have been urged to clear outstanding water bills, with Parliament warning that unpaid charges could undermine efforts to protect water sources and shield communities from flooding.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water and Environment, Mr Jackson Kiswaga, said reliable collection of water user fees was essential to financing water conservation, river protection and other interventions needed to address the effects of climate change.
He made the remarks during the committee's inspection of ongoing dredging and riverbank protection works along the Lumemo River in Kilombero District, Morogoro Region.
Mr Kiswaga said the growing threat of flooding required sustained financial investment, noting that river dredging and the construction of protective embankments could not be treated as one-off interventions.
He cited Ifakara Town, where recurring floods have disrupted economic activities and residents' livelihoods, as an example of the need for continued investment in flood prevention.
The dredging works and construction of protective embankments along vulnerable sections of the Lumemo River have so far cost about TZS294 million. However, approximately TZS2.2 billion is needed to complete the planned interventions in flood-prone areas.
The funding gap highlights the financial demands facing authorities as they seek to protect settlements and economic activities from the consequences of increasingly disruptive flooding.
Mr Kiswaga also led the committee in inspecting the 28-Town Water Supply Project in Kilombero, which has reached 95 per cent completion.
He called on the responsible authorities to fast-track the delivery of imported equipment and specialised materials required to complete the project, warning that delays could push back the delivery of reliable water services to residents in six wards.
Once completed, the project is expected to produce 20 million litres of water daily, against current demand estimated at 10 million litres.
The investment is also expected to achieve full water service coverage in the targeted areas, easing pressure on existing supply systems and improving access to safe and reliable water.
Mr Kiswaga further urged local government authorities to involve communities more actively in protecting water sources, stressing that sustainable water management required cooperation between government institutions and residents.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water, Eng Mwajuma Waziri, representing the Minister for Water, assured the committee that its recommendations and directives would be implemented.
She said the ministry would prioritise the delivery of outstanding equipment and materials to avoid further delays in completing the project.
Eng Waziri added that the ministry would engage major water consumers and other stakeholders to establish practical and sustainable arrangements for clearing outstanding water bills.
She said improving revenue collection was important for strengthening the financial capacity needed to manage water resources, complete ongoing projects and sustain services.
The committee's inspection comes amid growing demands for investment in water infrastructure and stronger protection of water sources, as communities face pressure from climate-related challenges, including recurrent flooding.