The role and potential of distribution water vendors on water service delivery to the urban poor: The case of Dar es salaam, Tanzania

This study concerns with the synthesis of Water Vendors who operate in the informal margin to distribute water to the urban poor. It focuses in Dar es Salaam which is the major city in Tanzania. The role and limitation of water vendors were thoroughly discussed. Also the analysis was done on how water vendors can be incorporated in the formal margin. Data collection techniques involved are desk study, informal interview of two workers from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. The literature review was done on various concepts with regard to Water Vendors, Informal entrepreneurs and Urban Poor. The study found that, most of the urban poor are not accessing utility water and are forced to rely on water vendors where they have to pay high prices. Sometimes water provided by water vendors is not safe for their health. However, water vendors are indispensable in the lives of the urban poor and other town dwellers since they fill the gap left by the utility in water distribution. Despite their crucial role, they are ignored and discouraged by the government. Policy option of utility and water vendors’ partnership was analysed. Stakeholders’ analysis was done to identify the power and influence of various stakeholders in the water sector in Dar es salaam, Tanzania; different aspects which might influence the partnership were addressed; the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the policy proposal were identified. Finally, the challenges, recommendations and conclusion were given on how to enhance the activities of water vendors by incorporating them into the larger scheme of formal margin. By including the water vendors into the formal margin, apart from increasing water coverage and reduce investment cost, will ensure the population served are provided with safe water.