The Ministry of Water (MoW) and the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) with the technical and financial support from the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) commissioned a Baseline Study in November 2009 to collect and analyze data related to the provision of improved water and sanitation services in urban low-income, underserved areas (LIAs) in Tanzania.

The objective of the study was to provide detailed information to MoW, EWURA and the Water Supply and Sewerage Authorities (WSSAs) on service gaps to allow for better targeting of funds to improve water supply and sanitation service provision in Low-income, underserved areas and to develop adequate regulatory approaches. The data constitutes an important source of information for the overall development of the Tanzanian water sector and is part of the overall sector reform process.

The data was collected in 20 urban centers using plot counting, household interviews, group discussions and conducting interviews with Informal Service Providers (ISPs). Moreover, GPS data was collected including coordinates and pictures of water points as well as urban boundaries. The exercise resulted in the Baseline Study Database and the Baseline Study GIS, which are hosted at MoW and EWURA.

Through the following link some of the Baseline Study data can be accessed through a Google Earth file. To be able to use the link you need to install Google Earth on your computer.

Baseline Study of Low-income, Underserved Urban Areas in Tanzania