Media Wire Express Correspondent
A total of 39,659 water wells have been drilled countrywide which has enhanced water accessibility and availability from 70.1 to 84 per cent in 2021 to 77 and 88 per cent in December 2022 in rural and urban areas respectively.
And, a total of 854 water well have been drilled in 2023/2024 financial year, Deputy Minister for Water, Ms Marryprisca Mahundi told the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The deputy minister gave the statistics when responding to a question from Ms Aziza Sleyum Ally (Special Seats-CCM), who wanted to know whether the government has carried out evaluation to know the number of wells constructed and how they have contributed to decrease water woes.
She said the availability of clean and safe water has increased from 70.1 to 84 per cent in 2021 and as of December 2022 the access went up to 77 and 88 per cent in rural and urban areas.
She added that the water wells have brought about significant relief to people in various areas with challenges of access to clean and safe water.
Responding the supplementary question on why some of the drilled water wells does not produce water, the deputy minister said the government sets budget for drilling and construction of water wells after conducting thorough feasibility study to meet the goals of bringing water services close to community.
She said majority of the constructed water wells are producing water with an exception of few which have failed to meet the production target mostly to climate change effects.
Moreover, he assured the members of parliament of reliable clean and safe water availability as there are major water projects in place for the mission.
