At first light in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s main city, residents begin a frantic search for water. Christmas is approaching, but dry pipes dampen the festive mood. With a population of six million, the city faces serious water shortages that have persisted for months.
In some homes, plastic containers line the doorsteps, ready to be carried whenever a nearby tap flows again. City authorities ration water, supplying homes once a week, though some families wait far longer. The crisis, fueled by drought and rising demand, has forced many to turn to private vendors. These vendors source water from boreholes and tanks, providing relief, but their high prices weigh heavily on low-income households.
Christmas plans disrupted by water scarcity
Cedric Ndosi, living in Madale, northwest of the city, worries about hosting Christmas lunch. “Christmas is here, and there is no water in our taps. We must buy water for cooking and bathing, but it is expensive. We used to spend money on drinks, but now cooking water adds to costs,” he explains.
Furaha Awadhi, a mother of two in Tegeta on the outskirts, says water prices have jumped from $4 for 1,000 litres to $10. Cedric Mushi from Ubungo ensures his family stores water whenever the city authorities turn on the taps. “It comes only once a week, usually late at night,” he notes.
Rivers run low and pipes leak
Since the end of the rainy season in May, river and groundwater levels have dropped sharply. Authorities say the decline has forced reductions in water supplied from treatment plants. Leaking pipes in the distribution network have worsened the problem, causing further losses.
Dar es Salaam lies on the Indian Ocean coast and is among Africa’s fastest-growing cities. Its population has more than doubled over the past two decades, driven by people seeking economic opportunities. New neighbourhoods extend far beyond the city’s original boundaries, straining a water supply that even in normal times barely sufficed.
For the festive season, Joyce Fredrick plans to escape Dar es Salaam’s heat and lack of water. She travels north to Arusha, where the weather is cooler and water is more reliable.
Rainfall failure hits the city hard
Unlike many Tanzanian cities, Dar es Salaam suffers greatly when the October to December rains fail. Even Dodoma, which receives little rainfall, suffers less thanks to its man-made dams. Dar es Salaam lacks nearby freshwater sources, hosts a dense population, and experiences temperatures averaging 33 °C. Despite its proximity to the ocean, the city has no desalination plant.
Most drinking water—about 70%—comes from the Ruvu River, whose flow depends on inland rainfall. Smaller volumes come from other rivers and boreholes but offer limited relief during dry spells. When the Ruvu drops, high-altitude areas and new suburbs feel the impact almost immediately.
Social and economic effects of water scarcity
The shortage affects households unevenly, depending on income. Residents adapt in creative ways: some stay awake to catch water in their pipes, others store rainwater in rooftops and courtyards. Small business owners face acute challenges. Food vendors, salon operators, and car wash businesses cut hours or raise prices. Women frequently search for water to meet household needs.
“When water is scarce, everything else stops. Hygiene suffers, stress rises, and households feel the impact,” says Tegemeo Kombe from Kibamba, west of the city.
The government recognizes the severity. Water Minister Juma Aweso explains that dependence on rainfall-fed rivers leaves the city vulnerable. “We are building a dam to collect water from different sources for future security. Drilling more boreholes will also help meet demand and protect the city from climate shocks,” he says.
The Dar es Salaam Water and Sanitation Authority (Dawasa) apologised for disruptions and urged residents to conserve water. Critics demand clearer communication, better rationing schedules, and faster implementation of long-promised projects.
Despite the challenges, some remain hopeful. Joyce Fredrick says life changes when water disappears, but she believes the situation will improve next year.
