Dawasa Warns of Severe Water Shortages Across Much of Dar es Salaam
The Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (Dawasa) has issued an alert about widespread water shortages affecting large portions of the city. The shortage follows a noticeable drop in production at the Lower Ruvu treatment plant, driven by lower water levels in the Ruvu River after a delayed rainy season.
The most affected neighborhoods include Bagamoyo, Tegeta, Boko, Mbezi Beach, Mwenge, Kinondoni, Mwananyamala, Masaki, and parts of Ilala. Residents in these areas have reported inconsistent or drastically reduced water supply.
In contrast, Dawasa confirmed that production at the Upper Ruvu plant—serving Kibaha, Kibamba, Kimara, Tabata, Kinyerezi, Pugu, and Kisarawe—remains steady, and normal distribution continues there.
To address the crisis, Dawasa, working with the Ministry of Water, has redirected water tankers that were previously allocated to agricultural and fishing activities in the Ruvu basin to prioritize household use. The authority is also increasing borehole deployment to relieve pressure on the main system.
Dawasa pledges ongoing, frequent updates to help residents plan essential activities and urged the public to conserve the water currently available. The agency apologizes for the disruption caused by the shortages and thanks the community for its patience during this period.
