Assessing the sustainabity of rural water supply projects in Mbeya region Tanzania

The main focus of this study was assessing the sustainability of rural water supply projects, Mbeya Region-Tanzania. Specifically, it examined the factors that influence the degree and success of sustainability achieved by rural water supply projects. A simple random sampling of 60 varied respondents was carried in the study area. Data was collected using triangulation method and findings analysed. The study findings ascertained that the main water source for projects was rivers 52% for rural water supply as 25% came for both rivers and boreholes. The focus in the sector has been on the construction of civil works, rather than the strengthening of the institutions to manage infrastructure, regulate services, and in general create an enabling environment something that needs to be reversed and or improved. This study concludes that sustainability of rural water supply projects is still a serious challenge. This study recommends emphasis on the implementation of water sources management as a way of sustaining the rural water supply projects. Similarly, a re-assessment of donor funding decisions is vital. This will help support more positive international funding trends with clearer roles and investment decisions in client countries. This study proposes that both large-scale loans and grant-funding take into account the strategies of support to reform and institution building for rural water as part of a coordinated, comprehensive and government led strategy. Similarly, this research study recommends that sustainability plans be included in the design period and at all phases. Additionally, further studies should be done on mechanisms supporting rural people and their governments to set up and properly finance (or provide financing mechanisms) for systems of post-construction support, both for operators and service authorities for instance the local government, as well as revolving funds for soft loans to enable capital maintenance.