Assessing Community Participation in Water Projects in Peri-Urban Areas of Dodoma Region, Tanzania

The study was carried out to investigate community participation in water projects in peri-urban areas of Dodoma Region, Tanzania. Data were collected through household questionnaire survey, focus group discussion and key informants. One hundred and twenty six households were interviewed. Results of the study showed that different forms of participation tend to vary with different stages of water project, ranging from attending meetings to contribution in cash and labour. Community participation faced with a number of challenges in water projects including frequent breakdown of infrastructure. Furthermore, the study recorded low to moderate level of community involvement in water project, and level of participation tends to be higher in advanced stage of projects. It is recommended that emphases to be given on involvement of all stakeholders from the onset of the water projects; more and continuous training related to water project management should be provided to the community, and local government and Municipality should design mechanism to enhance and supporting O & M for the sustainability of water projects.