Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Corporation (Dawasco) technicians change a burst pipe at Buma, in Bagamoyo district, Coast region, yesterday. The pipe, which is part of the pipeline from the Lower Ruvu water intake, burst on Wednesday night, causing water shortage in Dar es Salaam and other areas supplied by the pipeline for about three days. (Photo: Correspondent Gadiosa Lamtey)

The supply of water to the city of Dar es Salaam is expected to return to normal today evening after technicians complete the installation of a new pipe to replace the burst one at Buma in Bagamoyo District, rendering most parts of the city going for two days without the life-giving liquid.

Yesterday, Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Corporation (Dawasco) Executive Director Eng Jackson Midala told journalists at Buma that the pipe burst occurred on Wednesday.

However, work by water technicians got under way immediately to restore normal situation.

He said normal water flow in the city was expected to resume yesterday but after technicians finished installations, the last link was found to be leaking, making them to deal with that problem.

The pipe supplying water to Dar es Salaam was laid many years ago and as result it often fails to control water pressure from Lower Ruvu. He stated that the technicians have now installed a new one which is expected to remain strong for another 50 years.

“I call upon Dar residents to be patient while our technician work day and night to ensure the service resumes… this is an accident like others. By tomorrow everything will be okay,” he said

He added that the pipeline has capacity to supply 182 cubic litres, enough to supply water to 70 percent of Dar es Salaam residents. As a result of the burst pipeline Dawasco had to pay Sh90m to install a new one.

Earlier Minister for Water Jumanne Maghembe who also visited the area said, to ensure water availability in Dar es Salaam the tender board yesterday announced a tender to install another pipeline from the Lower Ruvu to city.

He said by June 22, the tender board should announce the winner for the work to start on September 1, adding that by next year they want the pipeline to start supplying water to the city.

Also the government expects to sign a $ 38million agreement next month with the government of India to install a pipeline from the Upper Ruvu to Dar es Salaam to supply 80,000 cubic litres of water per day.