Drinking water quality control in Mtwara and Lindi regions,Tanzania

Abstract

BY 1976, when the United Nations gave recommendations on the initiation of rural water supply programmes, Tanzania was already implementing he own, launched in 1971. In march 1973, Temporary Standards of Quality of Domesticwaterin Tanzania were launched. Standards and regulations achieve nothing unless they can be implemented and enforced. If the funds are limited, and a water source of acceptable bacteriological quality is not available, it may be necessary to use the available source without treatment purely to improve access to the water. Fluoride concentrations for Mtwara and Lindi regions are very low, with a mean value of 0,55 mg/l. They are normally below 1,5 mg/l which is the limit allowed for drinking water according to WHO standards. Any water quality control programme for Mtwara and Lindi regions should be essentially simple and matched with the economic situation of this area. Emphasis should be given to preparing programmes which require very little running costs. Sanitary inspections assisted by occasional sampling for laboratory analysis are one alternative. Use of existing laboratories of the Ministry of Health for water quality monitoring may lead to saving in terms of transport and time. /Kir09