Assessment of water supply system.

This study was carried out to assess the water supply system in Kigoma/Ujiji Municipality. The current water supply is about 27% of the demand compared to the supply in 2007 which was 38% and in 2006 which was 50% (Table 4.3). The only source of water supply is from Lake Tanganyika. Water is pumped to the storage tanks and then distributed by gravity scheme. The findings of this study are followed by recommendations that will relieve the community from extremely shortage. Different approaches applied in this study; including, Surveying of water supply system, analysis of the quality of water, estimation of demand and supply and analysis of revenue collection process and ability to recover operating and maintenance costs. The deficit in water was assessed and the main problems, namely technical and poor management, are discovered. Technical problems identified include inefficiency of supply infrastructure including pumping units, intake and distribution networks. Most of the technical problems caused by dropping of water level in the lake, old age of pipes and pumps and lack of reliable power supply for pumping water full time. Managerial problem include poor billing system, low revenue collection and lack of qualified staff. Revenue collection covers only 96% of operating and maintenance costs and staffing ratio found to be seven employees per thousand connections where the billing is carried out manual. Recommendation made to look new location for new intake, refurbishment of existing intake and maintenance of distribution network. Full metering, employ of qualified staff and using advanced billing system like VYEMA, are recommended as a key towards financial sustainability and reduction of Unaccounted for Water.