Dar es Salaam Residents Raise Concerns Over High Water Bills Despite Intermittent Supply

Dar es Salaam — Residents of Dar es Salaam are facing a double challenge as the city continues to experience intermittent water supply alongside complaints of unusually high water bills that many say do not reflect their actual consumption. The situation is placing particular strain on low-income households already struggling with economic pressures.

In response to the complaints on December 18, 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of the Dar es Salaam Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (Dawasa), Mr. Mkama Bwire, stated that billing concerns vary from customer to customer and encouraged affected consumers to contact the authority directly for resolution.

Mr. Bwire clarified that receiving water on a rationing basis does not mean customers are not being supplied, emphasizing that billing is based on actual consumption as recorded by water meters.

"All Dawasa customers use meters that measure the real amount of water consumed, although in some cases the meters may experience technical challenges," he explained.

He advised customers experiencing billing discrepancies to contact Dawasa through its toll-free number 181 or visit the authority’s offices for assistance.

"Even if water is supplied under a rationing system, that does not mean there is no service. Customers should report any concerns so they can be addressed," Mr. Bwire stated.

Residents Report Persistent Billing Issues

Despite these assurances, multiple residents report receiving bills that appear inconsistent with their water usage, adding financial pressure during already difficult economic times.

Mr. Baltazar Amos, a Tabata Sanene resident, said the problem has persisted for years and that his attempts to reach the authority have been unsuccessful.

"This is not a new problem. Every time I call, no one answers. Often the phone just rings, and even when I try to raise the issue through their social media platforms, there is no response," he said.

Ms. Mariam Sambrina of Mabibo reported that her bills have remained unchanged despite reduced water usage.

"Three months ago I was paying Sh16,000 per month when my children were at home. Even after they went back to school, the bill remained the same, yet I spend most of my time at work," she explained.

She expressed concern that faulty meters may be contributing to inflated bills.

"If the meters are faulty, they should be replaced instead of burdening residents with high bills. I fear that some meter readings may be estimated rather than properly verified," she added.

Mr. Richard Richard of Tabata Kisiwani said high water bills have become a recurring problem in his residence, which houses several tenants.

"Most of us are casual workers and are mainly at home over the weekends. We don’t use much water because we have few household items, yet the bills remain high," he said, noting that follow-ups with the authority had not provided satisfactory explanations.

Authority Explains Billing Process

Mr. Bwire acknowledged that Dawasa continues to receive similar complaints even during periods of stable water supply.

He explained that before bills are issued, customers receive a message prompting them to confirm meter readings to ensure accuracy.

"Only after that verification is the bill sent. It is also important to understand that a customer may go without water for three or four days, but on the days when water is available, they may store water and use it over subsequent days," he said.

Dawasa has urged customers with billing concerns to engage the authority directly to allow for verification and corrective action where necessary.