By Prosper Kwigize
Mazingira Africa News
*An underground force is
transforming public health in Kagera region. As rural communities
face failing infrastructure and contaminated rivers, groundwater offers a
lifeline clean, reliable, and often the only safe option for drinking water.
A
Lifeline Below the Surface
In the
rolling hills and valleys of Tanzania’s Kagera region, groundwater flows
silently beneath the surface an invisible but essential source of life. Tapped
through hand-dug wells and natural springs, it sustains communities in the Nile
River basin, particularly where piped water systems fail to reach.
Unlike
rivers and lakes increasingly polluted by agriculture, waste, and human
settlements, underground water remains relatively clean and dependable,
offering rural residents a safer alternative.
Infrastructure
Gaps Leave Communities Vulnerable
Water
infrastructure in many rural parts of Kagera is either absent or dysfunctional.
Some systems are built below standard or damaged by vandalism, leaving
communities to rely on natural springs. Despite concerns about contamination,
groundwater is still widely trusted.
“I’ve
relied on underground water for decades without boiling it,” says Deogratius
Nshimiliamana, a resident of Ngara District.
“Even
government tap water now needs boiling. That shows you how much has changed. If
protected, springs like Kizosi can provide clean water without fear of
disease.”
Why
Groundwater Is Safer
Naturally
filtered through layers of soil and rock, groundwater is less likely to carry
harmful pathogens compared to surface water. When wells are protected and
properly managed, they offer a strong defense against cholera, typhoid, and
dysentery diseases that still claim lives in areas with poor sanitation.
Deogratius Nshimiliamana draws water from Kizosi Spring in Ngara
District, a source relied upon by residents of two villages.
Tackling
Disease Through Better Water Access
Engineer
Daud Gwiyera, Acting Manager of the Ngara Water and Sanitation Authority, notes
that groundwater faces increasing threats from human activityespecially
agriculture and the use of toxic chemicals.
Rural
areas lacking sanitation facilities are hotspots for waterborne diseases.
Groundwater, when well-managed, can cut this risk. Studies across sub-Saharan
Africa confirm that communities using protected wells face fewer disease
outbreaks than those relying on untreated surface water.
Moreover,
access to water encourages basic hygiene like handwashing, a crucial barrier
against infection.
National
Efforts to Improve Water Access
According
to Tanzania’s Ministry of Water, 84% of urban and just 58.7% of rural
populations have access to clean water. But these figures may not reflect
reality: some systems are poorly maintained or only function during certain
seasons.
Traditional
water harvesting methods remain common, especially in Misenyi and Kyerwa
districts. But their reliability varies, and safety is often compromised.
To
address this, the government is implementing multiple projects under Vision 2025,
including:
· Expanding safe
water access in rural schools through the SWASH Program
· Monitoring water
quality at over 2,000
sources and 4,600 supply schemes
· Developing Water Safety Plans
and accrediting laboratories
· Allocating
billions of shillings to infrastructure and education initiatives
Community Voices: “We’re Still Waiting”
Despite
these efforts, rural residents still face challenges. Mr. Kagisha Juston from
Misenyi District recalls how his son fell ill from drinking contaminated well
water.
“The
government promised to build infrastructure, but nothing has changed. The water
we have is unreliable and unsafe,” he says.
Educating
for Safer Water Use
Mansour
Kalokola, Principal Environmental Health Officer in Ngara, emphasizes the
importance of education. His office works with communities to promote water
safety testing water quality, urging residents to boil dam water, and
protecting natural springs.
“We
advise people not to farm or build homes within 60 meters of water sources,” “Water safety is
our priority, and we’re committed to protecting public health.”
A
Healthier Future, One Spring at a Time
Groundwater
is doing more than quenching thirst it is improving hygiene, reducing disease,
and giving hope to underserved communities. As Tanzania races toward its
development goals, protecting and managing this precious resource will be
vital.
With proper investment, education, and policy enforcement, Kagera’s springs and wells could secure a healthier, more sustainable future for this generation and the next.
The Katahoka Spring is found in Kayanga town in Karagwe District in the Kagera region of Tanzania.
A Safer Source of Drinking Water
The Katahoka Spring is found in Kayanga town in Karagwe District in the Kagera region of Tanzania.
In rural Tanzania and particularly in Kagera access to clean, safe water remains a daily challenge. Shallow wells, if left unprotected, risk contamination. But groundwater, when properly tapped and stored, is naturally filtered through soil and rock layers, making it far less likely to contain harmful pathogens than surface water.
This natural filtration has had a measurable impact on health. Communities relying on groundwater experience fewer outbreaks of cholera, dysentery, and typhoid—diseases closely tied to contaminated water and poor sanitation.
Reducing the Risk of Waterborne Diseases
Local Councils and local water authorities are tasked with ensuring safe water services, including protecting water sources from contamination and managing sustainable distribution.
Engineer Daud Gwiyera, Acting Manager of the Ngara Water and Sanitation Authority, highlights that groundwater sources are under increasing threat due to expanding agricultural and livestock activities.
In rural areas lacking sanitation infrastructure, water-related diseases continue to pose a significant threat. People often resort to using untreated surface water for cooking and cleaning, leading to disease outbreaks.
Well-managed groundwater systems, however, have proven effective in reducing such risks. Research across sub-Saharan Africa shows that households using protected groundwater sources are significantly less likely to suffer from waterborne diseases.
Additionally, access to groundwater promotes better hygiene practices. In Kagera, improved water access enables more frequent handwashing—one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent disease transmission.
A Call for Better Sanitation Infrastructure
According to Tanzania’s Ministry of Water, 84% of the urban population and only 58.7% of the rural population have access to clean and safe water. In reality, these numbers may be lower due to non-functioning infrastructure, poor maintenance, and geographical challenges.
This groundwater article was prepared courtesy of the Nile Basin Initiative through Info Nile