Tanzania's Water Sources: Surface, Ground, Rain, and Desalination

Surface Water

• Lakes: Victoria, Tanganyika, Nyasa (Malawi) – drinking, irrigation, transport.
• Rivers: Nile (headwaters), Rufiji, Pangani, Ruvuma – hydropower, irrigation, domestic.
• Wetlands: Serengeti, Selous, Kilombero – wildlife, fisheries, rice.

Groundwater

Extensive aquifers (volcanic, sedimentary) tapped by boreholes for rural supply, irrigation, industry. Critical in dry seasons.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rooftop tanks, earth dams, ndiva (traditional ponds) capture seasonal rains for household/ag use.

Desalination (Emerging)

Pilot plants in Dar es Salaam & Zanzibar test seawater RO for coastal urban supply.

Integrated water resource management is key as climate variability increases.