When there are no adequate liquid and solid waste management services, it can lead to nearby rivers and the surrounding environment to become polluted. Just 10% of Dar es Salaam is connected to the sewer system, which means there is a huge challenge with emptying pit-latrines in a safe and hygienic way.

Children play at the edge of the sprawling rubbish dump in Mbagala, Kibonde Maji A Ward, Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania – February 2015
Children play at the edge of the sprawling rubbish dump in Mbagala, Kibonde Maji A Ward, Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania – February 2015
Image: WaterAid/ Eliza Deacon

Since 2014, we have been working with sanitation entrepreneurs in the city, supporting them to become legal enterprises that offer liquid and solid waste services to the poorest streets in Temeke and Kigamboni Municipal. 

This has involved providing a loan to the businesses, managed by a local microfinance institution. We have provided training on skills from financial management to marketing, as well as how to use the pit-emptying technologies, such as the gulper. 

We have worked with Borda and PDF to construct several Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS). The lessons and experiences we have shared with the sector has led to the World Bank committing to construct 50 DEWATs in the city.

Mattius Millinga, 51-years-old, stands next to one of the 'pajaj' vehicles that transports the gulper pump equipment, outside his house in Kigamboni Ward, Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania - February 2015. Mattius Millinga, 51-years-old, stands next to one of the 'pajaj' vehicles that transports the gulper pump equipment, outside his house in Kigamboni Ward, Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam City, Tanz Image: WaterAid/Eliza Deacon
Waste management equipment - the pajaj motorbike and trailer containing the gulper pump - at the UMAWA treatment plant in Kigamboni Ward, Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania - February 2015. Waste management equipment - the pajaj motorbike and trailer containing the gulper pump - at the UMAWA treatment plant in Kigamboni Ward, Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam Image: WaterAid/Eliza Deacon
Julius Chisengo, Group Operator UMAWA, 48 years old (left) and Cleophas Shinga, Group Operator UMAWA, 49-years old (right), at work emptying a pit latrine in Kigamboni Ward, Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania - February 2015. Julius Chisengo, Group Operator UMAWA, and Cleophas Shinga, Group Operator UMAWA, at work emptying a pit latrine in Kigamboni Ward Image: WaterAid/Eliza Deacon
Julius Chisengo, Group Operator UMAWA, 48 years old (left) and Cleophas Shinga, Group Operator UMAWA, 49-years old (right), at work emptying a pit latrine at Kigamboni Ward, Temeke Municipality, Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania - February 2015. "Our work is making a big difference because people are not sick so much. Before, there was a lot of cholera, but since the gulper, it has gone down." Julius Chisengo Image: WaterAid/Eliza Deacon
TZ50_001 "When we are collecting the liquid waste, we protect ourselves by wearing gloves, boots, masks, and using sanitizer." Juma Ng’ombo. Image: WaterAid/James Kiyimba
TZ50_009 "I am happy to have this job because it is helping me improve my life. I am able to support my family. My children are able to go to school, they are eating. My family are doing well." Juma Ng'ombo Image: WaterAid/James Kiyimba
TZ50_040 My job helps the communities. We use the Gulper to enter the toilets and take out the liquid waste. Then we dispose of it at a site in Kurasini" Julius Ng'ombo Image: WaterAid/James Kiyimba
TZ50_085 A sanitation worker empties the liquid waste into the DEWAT, where it will be recycled into biogas and fertiliser, and the water will be recycled and used for irrigation. Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam. Image: WaterAid/James Kiyimba

Read the blog

Learn more about one of our projects in Temeke Municipal and how we have been turning waste into wealth.

A Social Return on Investment analysis 

Read our SROI analysis which takes a closer look at the benefits of the project, from a social and economic perspective.

Meet the people

Meet one of the sanitation workers, Julius, and find out a day in the life of a sanitation worker in Dar es Salaam.