The Influence of Internal Governance Practices on the Sustainability of Community-based Water Supply Projects in Arumeru District, Tanzania

Abstract

This paper examines the factors influencing the sustainability of community based water supply (CBWS) projects in Arumeru District, Tanzania. A cross sectional research design was employed to assess the contributions of CBWS organizations to project sustainability. Out of the 30 CBWS projects, 19 serving at least 25 households with piped water connections were purposively selected, and 399 household heads were randomly sampled for participation in the study. The data were generated through surveys conducted between December 2024 and March 2025, and analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression. The findings suggest that the efficiency of internal governance mechanisms plays a crucial role in enhancing the sustainability of CBWS projects. In particular, effective conflict management, well-functioning reporting systems, and stakeholder participation in setting water tariffs were positively associated with improved sustainability outcomes. The results underscore the critical importance of strengthening participatory governance practices, particularly in conflict resolution, performance reporting, and inclusive decision-making on water tariffs. These results contribute to policy and practice aimed at enhancing the resilience and sustainability of rural water supply projects in Tanzania.