The government of Tanzania has allocated a sum of US $36 M for the implementation of the Makonde Plateau Water Supply Project.
The move aims to help address the severe shortage of drinking water, exacerbated by drought. The water project sited in the Mtwara region, is a National scheme which consists of 6 separate water intakes and partly interconnected piped water distribution systems in Newala District, Mtwara Region.
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Makonde Plateau Water Scheme
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) was awarded the project contract, with scope of work involving; reinforcement of 6 km of pumping pipes from Mitema to Nanda, laying of a 300 mm steel pipe in parallel with the existing 300 mm steel pipe. Gravity main will also be reinforced from Nanda to Mtopwa by laying 2.2 km of 350 mm steel pipe, parallel to the existing 250 mm polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe.
The drinking water project will also upgrade the Mitema water treatment plant with associated facilities including three tanks for storing drinking water. All the facilities will enable the supply of 65,000 m3 of drinking water per day to the population, well above the estimated daily demand of 25,000 m3 in Newala, Tandahimba and Nanyamba.
During the last 15 years Makonde Plateau Water Scheme (MPWSS) has received considerable assistance from the Mtwara-Lindi Rural water Supply Project, mainly in terms of investments but also in terms of technical assistance and spare parts supply in support of the scheme’s operation and maintenance. According to Benard Bwire, the Makonde Plateau Water Project Manager, more than US $5.1M has already been paid by the Tanzanian government towards the development.
