Tanzania Water Project

Community Overview

Biharu is a welcoming, primarily agricultural community located in rural northwestern Tanzania, with 12,000 citizens in the Biharu Ward. The main crops include maize, beans, cassava, and groundnuts. The primary languages are Ha and Kiswahili.

The EWB Greater Austin Tanzania team, in partnership with the NGO MANLUKU Youth Development Initiatives, is undertaking the rehabilitation of Biharu’s existing water system. Initially designed for 3,000 people, the current gravity-fed system can no longer meet the water volume needs of the 12,000-person ward. The untreated water source is located over 7 km away.

Project sustainability is a key focus. EWB Greater Austin will collaborate closely with the Biharu Water Board, which manages local fees and maintenance, to provide the necessary training and resources. The initial assessment trip took place in August 2022 with a subsequent visit in August 2024.

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Case for Support

copy-of-2023-rotary-biharu-case-statement

Case for Support – PDF Download

What’s been done so far?

Conducted a hydrogeologic survey to identify potential sites for water well drilling in partnership with Jovial LTD
Completed water quality testing in partnership with the United Republic of Tanzania Ministry of Water – Kigoma Zonal Water Quality Laboratory
Provided support for the purchase of 35 handwashing stations for the community at the request of MANLUKU
Collaborated with MANLUKU to administer a world-renowned assessment tool, the Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) survey, to the community
Visited Biharu in August 2022 to assess the system and meet the community
Returned in 2024 to finalize Phase 1 planning and meet with all project stakeholders

*The results of the HWISE survey administered in May 2021 determined that 95% of surveyed homes were water insecure.