Challenge
In 2013 increased investment in Tanzania has not yet translated into improvements in coverage, quality and sustainability of water and sanitation services. Around 45% of the population did not have access to an improved water source and over 80% did not have access to adequate sanitation. Availability of water and sanitation facilities in schools and health facilities was poor; this in turn undermined the quality and outcomes of education and health services. An estimated 54% of rural water points were non-functional, reflecting poor quality and inappropriate approaches, a focus on hardware and neglect of the management, technical and financing issues that are critical to sustainability. In addition, approaches to sanitation and hygiene promotion had not resulted in increased uptake of sanitation or sustained changes in hygiene practices.
HDIF WASH outcomes
HDIF has responded to these challenges by funding work in menstrual hygiene, sanitation, and provision of water. Our work in pre-paid water systems has provided some interesting models for possible scale, and worked to inform the national debate on pre-paid systems (you can read our analysis summary here).
We have specifically seen great results in:
- Through the pre-paid water meter project implemented by CRS the community-owned water supply organisations saw an increase in revenue collection of 250 per cent. With improved revenues, COWSOs cover all operation and maintenance costs as well as having savings in their bank accounts.
- The prepaid water system installed by ICS has significantly contributed to improving access to safe water in an area previously not served. It hasalso reduced the price of water by more than half.
- As of September 2018, the nanofilter by Gongali had provided clean and safe water to 80,000 beneficiaries through 60 water stations and sold filters to 55 institutions and over 400 households.Nanofilter has also won five different awards locally and internationally. These include the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation by the British Royal Academy of Engineering, the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Award and the World Health Organization Health Prize 2019.
