Determinant factors for community's access to safe and clean water in water shortage areas of Tanzania

For years since independence, several rural communities in Tanzania have continued to experience unabated pressure on access to safe and clean water. Consequently households in areas prone to water shortages have evolved devising different measures in revamping accessibility to water resource. However, the pattern of water accessibility in such areas is shaped by different factors. This paper narrates finding from a study conducted at Mwanza region in one of the area (Buswelu ward) proclaimed for persistent water shortages. The study investigated the socio-economic characteristics of community members, study area characteristics, water provision infrastructures and stakeholders initiatives in relation to water provision. A total of 84 head of households were involved comprising 33 males and 51 females. Both interview and observation methods were employed whereby questionnaires and focus group discussions were administered. Findings indicate that, both socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of household members emerged to shape differences in consumption pattern and accessibility to safe and clean water within households and wider in a community. While the burden of water scarcity is felt differently among households at different time intervals of the year, women and their daughters bare more burdens as compared to their men/boys counterparts because of the embedded socio-cultural set-up. However, persistence of water shortage in the area is exacerbated by prolonged drought concurrently with mismanagement of water sources and infrastructures. Finally recommendation is given to Local Authorities, Government and other Stakeholders to consider differences in households’ socio-economic and demographic characteristics as pre-factor for water development intervention in an area.