Community-based water quality of non-piped water sources used for domestic purposes in Dodoma Urban, Tanzania

The study was cross sectional with the aim of assessing the quality of water from non piped sources based on community views at Miyuji ward in Dodoma municipality. The study findings revealed that according to community-based water quality, water in the study area from non-piped sources has high salinity/ hardness, containing colour and smell. It is also rated by majority of dwellers that the quality is very poor. Number of water related diseases incidences and frequencies were also assessed. The assessed diseases were; diarrhoea, dysentery and cholera, all types of worms, and typhoid fever. Among them, diarrhoea was the leading one seems to be most frequently occurred as reported by 35% of respondents out of 85% reported incidences of different diseases. The study recommends that; Community in Miyuji ward should collaborate with the Dodoma Water Supply Authority (DUWASA) in Dodoma municipality so that the piped network system can be extended for them to obtain clean and safe water. Community sensitization should be done by the government to discourage people from using non-piped water and encourage in-house water treatment prior to the domestic uses. Education should be provided the people regarding the dangers of using non-piped water, and any other type of water which is not safe for consumption.