Urban population increase and water resources in Tanzania: a case study of Muleba Township

The study investigates the impact of rapid urban population increase on water supply and consumption pattern in Muleba Township. It involved field survey of 200 households whereby qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were used and come up with the following major findings: The survey indicates that urban population growth has been very high i.e. from 6.3% in the period of 1967-1978 to 73.5% in the period of 1988-2002; and 58.5% of respondents were in- migrants while 41.5% were non-migrant. 67.5% of respondents noted that acute shortage of water was due to population increase. 53.5% of the households were more than 400 meters from the water sources. Water consumption patterns differ with the levels of income per month. It was revealed that water supplied was very small since 85.0% of households have no private water taps, no constant water flow (65.0%), noted low water pressure (57.5%) and insufficient domestic water (64.5%). On water quality, 77.0% indicated that water was in bad quality and 73.5% indicated that water have suspended solids. Also poor management and maintenance of water creates acute domestic water shortage. Major problems encountered were improper record keeping and respondents' reluctances to give their average monthly income. Conclutionally, introduction of family planning services and urban migration control plus improvement of town water resources in terms of quality and quantity and community participation in water management projects is the paramount action.