The role of youth in water source management in Tanzania: experience of villages in the Great Ruaha River, Iringa District

Abstract

Youth refers to the young active human resources which in 2012 constituted about 34.7% of the total population of Tanzania. However, there is a paucity of information on the role of youth in the management of water resources in the majority of the rural areas. This paper draws on the experience of the conceptual framework for water governance at the local level. The study examines the role of youth in water source management as it draws on strategies for water management in Kihanga and Migoli Villages located adjacent the Great Ruaha River of Iringa District. The Great Ruaha River covers 47% of the largest Rufiji Basin in Tanzania. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 161 youths within the surveyed households. In-depth interviews with 5 key informants and focus group(s) of 50 participants were used to supplement data that could not be obtained through surveys. The results show that 59.6% of respondents were not involved in the Water Committee activities. Patrolling the sources and fetching water at night are among the major strategies used in the management of water sources and supply at least in the short term. These findings together with methods used could be replicated in other areas as they provide opportunities for the study of water governance at the local level. The study recommends the integration of young people into water committees and the establishment of water pumping stations at a suitable distance from Mtera dam to reduce degradation.