National Water Policy 2002, Version 2025.

This National Water Policy of 2025 revises the national Water Policy of 2002 to adress gaps in the former policy such as inability of rural communities to implement the policy’s directive that required them to contribute to capital investment and to own and manage their rural water schemes, managing wastewater quality in rural areas, and water supply and sanitation services at local level. The updated policy aims to ensure optimal, reliable, sustainable, and equitable development and use of water resources for the benefit of all in the most cost-effective way. It offers guidance to stakeholders on addressing challenges in water resource management and development, water quality in both rural and urban areas, and water supply and sanitation services of which are critical to achieving socio-economic development and water security in line with national and international goals. The policy also emphasises private sector engagement and the importance of research and development. The revised policy emphasises cross-sectoral coordination in design and implementation of all water-related projects.
Chapter 1 of the Policy gives an overview of Tanzania's water sector and its issues. Chapter 2 sets out the Rationale, Vision, Mission and Objectives of the Policy. Important topics are: community contribution and management of water projects in rural areas, sanitation services in rural areas, privatization of water supply and sanitation services in small towns, and adaptation to climate change and disaster management. The specific objectives of this policy are: i) To enhance sustainable management of water resources; ii) To improve water resources development; iii) To improve water and wastewater quality management; iv) To enhance sustainable water supply services and water management systems; v) To enhance reliable and sustainable sanitation services; vi) To strengthen private sector participation in the water sector; vii) To enhance research and technology development in the water sector; and viii) To promote cross-cutting issues, which include environmental and climate change resilience, gender and good governance.
Chapter 3 highlights policy issues, objectives and statements. Chapter 4 is about the Legal and Regulatory Framework. To effectively implement the revised policy and avoid ambiguity and duplication of functions, there is a need to undertake a comprehensive review of some of the Acts affecting the water sector, especially the Water Supply and Sanitation Act, 2019 and the Regulations for Water Supply and Sanitation of 2019. The revised regulatory frameworks will form a basis for implementing the reviewed NAWAPO 2002, Version 2025. Other legislation may be reviewed/amended to effectively implement the reviewed policy. Chapter 5 deals with institutional framework, monitoring and evaluation.