The government on its part seems determined to go ahead and make room for the private sector in the provision of water services. The National Investment Promotion Protection Act, No 10 of 1990, which identified provision of water as the exclusive preserve of the public sector is being amended to allow private involvement. The move to privatise the water sector has come at a time when towns are facing huge water shortages because of a combination of drought and lack of planning by the government. In the capital, Dar es Salaam, the sole water supply has almost dried up and water minister Pius Ng'wandu said recently that the government was now thinking of desalinating water from the Indian Ocean for the city's three million residents. Only 180 million litres a day is being pumped instead of the 400 million needed.
Much water is lost because of burst pipes.
Residents now have to resort to buying water from street vendors, at a cost of US66c a bucket.