2025, Vol. 7, Issue 7, Part A

Author(s): Adam Omar Karia and Ghanima Chanzi

Abstract: Access to safe drinking water remains a global public health priority, with chemical contamination posing serious risks to human health and sustainable development. In Northern Tanzania, the challenge is particularly acute due to widespread fluoride contamination affecting an estimated 2 million people across the Arusha, Kilimanjaro, and Manyara regions. Fluoride concentrations in groundwater sources range between 5–30 mg/L, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 1.5 mg/L. This policy analysis critically examines governmental strategies, policies, and institutional frameworks aimed at mitigating fluoride-related health risks through the Water Sector Development Programme (WSDP 2006–2025), the National Water Policy, and regional initiatives. The study assesses the roles of key institutions such as the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MoWI), the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), and regional utilities like the Arusha Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (AUWSA). Key policy developments include the establishment of RUWASA in 2019, the integration of fluoride management into WSDP Phase III (2022–2026), and the promotion of public-private partnerships for defluoridation technologies. Despite progress, implementation challenges remain namely limited funding, weak inter-agency coordination, and inadequate technical capacity at the local level. The analysis reveals critical policy gaps in fluoride-specific regulation, monitoring, and enforcement. The study recommends targeted reforms, including the development of dedicated fluoride management strategies, improved institutional collaboration, strengthened financing mechanisms, and participatory, community-based implementation. These insights offer a framework for advancing sustainable water governance and achieving universal access to safe water by 2030.

DOI: 10.22271/multi.2025.v7.i7a.720

Pages: 21-30 | Views: 636 | Downloads: 167

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