On 27 January 2026, the SADC Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI) hosted a stakeholder workshop in Dar es Salaam to assess the city’s groundwater dependency and vulnerability. The event validated conjunctive management strategies and convened experts from academia, utilities, the private sector, and partner organisations to address groundwater challenges in coastal cities, particularly those arising from urbanisation and climate change. Key threats identified included contamination, over-extraction, and seawater intrusion. The workshop concluded with recommendations for collaborative conjunctive management actions to strengthen groundwater governance, monitoring, and community engagement.
Context and objectives
Coastal cities, such as Dar es Salaam, face significant water security challenges due to rapid urban growth and population growth, which increase water demand and often necessitate greater reliance on groundwater. Limited surface water supplies and difficulties in expanding municipal water infrastructure leave many informal settlements dependent on shallow wells and boreholes. These cities are particularly vulnerable to saltwater intrusion—especially during dry periods or when groundwater abstraction is excessive. Additionally, pollution from urban runoff, industrial and agricultural activities, and inadequate sanitation can compromise groundwater quality. Climate change further exacerbates these risks by altering rainfall patterns, increasing temperatures, and affecting groundwater recharge, potentially leading to higher water demand and over-extraction.
The main goal of this project was to examine groundwater reliance and vulnerability in coastal cities, with Cape Town and Dar es Salaam as case studies. This involved engaging with stakeholders; conducting comprehensive hydrogeological and environmental assessments; identifying deficiencies in existing monitoring systems; assessing vulnerability factors; analysing the impacts of pollution and climate change; and incorporating socio-economic and gender considerations, with the ultimate aim of developing a strategic action plan for conjunctive management in Dar es Salaam.
Workshop format and participants
The workshop format included presentations and facilitated discussions. The workshop was hybrid to allow for online participation. The first part of the workshop focused on presenting groundwater dependency and vulnerability assessments, followed by the conjunctive management strategy and action plans. The workshop participants had the opportunity, through group discussions, to provide more detail on the proposed action plans.
Key observations and technical findings
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and principal industrial and commercial hub, faces the country’s most significant water supply deficit. Rapid urbanisation and population growth have sharply increased water demand, surpassing the capacity of existing surface water resources. The Upper and Lower Ruvu and Mtoni Rivers provide over 90% of municipal water, but the Ruvu River’s baseflow has declined due to climate variability, upstream abstractions, and deforestation. To supplement surface water, Dar es Salaam Water Supply and Sanitation Authority utilises the shallow coastal aquifer, which is highly sensitive to climate change, overabstraction, and seawater intrusion. Additionally, deep boreholes in the Kimbiji aquifer have been developed to supply potable water. Many communities, especially in southern Dar es Salaam and informal settlements, further rely on groundwater and private vendors to address supply gaps. As the water deficit persists, groundwater dependency is expected to increase.
Conjunctive management
The dependency and vulnerability assessments guided the creation of a Conjunctive Management Strategic Action Plan for Dar es Salaam, identifying priority zones for sustainable abstraction, pollution mitigation, and equitable water governance. The plan outlined targeted actions in five areas: governance, data acquisition and monitoring, aquifer protection and pollution control, water security planning, and outreach and education. Each action was defined by its purpose, scope, responsible organisations, timeline, priority, and budget, with implementation sequenced to ensure logical progression and interdependency.
Conclusion
The Dar es Salaam stakeholder workshop confirmed that groundwater is a critical yet vulnerable resource for rapidly growing coastal cities. Targeted, collaborative measures in data management, governance, pollution control, and public engagement are essential to mitigate risks and enhance resilience. The commitment of local stakeholders presents a timely opportunity to advance conjunctive water management in Dar es Salaam. The SADC Groundwater Management Institute team, led by Prof. Kevin Pietersen, acknowledges all participants and presenters for their valuable contributions to this constructive dialogue.