Community Decision-Making and the Sustainability of Rural Water Projects in Tunduru District Council, Tanzania

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed the role of community decision-making in the sustainability of rural water projects in Tunduru District Council, Ruvuma Region, Tanzania, where many water points become non-functional within a few years of installation.

Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-methods cross-sectional design guided by Participatory Development Theory and Empowerment Theory was adopted. Questionnaires were completed by 336 community members (96.0% response) in Bugujali, Rahaleo, Masuguru and Ligunga wards, and key informants, including village leaders, Water User Committee members, district water officials and NGO representatives, were interviewed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression and thematic analysis.

Findings: Community decision-making was perceived positively across all six indicators (item means 3.78–4.02). The belief that community decisions positively affect sustainability was strongest (M = 4.02; 82.4% agreement), followed by the effectiveness of community meetings (M = 3.97). Transparency in decision-making was the weakest indicator (M = 3.78). Decision-making was strongly correlated with perceived sustainability (r = 0.883, p < 0.001) and explained 78.0% of its variance. Interviews revealed that women’s voices were often sidelined and that communities sometimes felt that decisions were made far away from them.

Research limitations/implications: Sustainability was measured through community perceptions in four wards of one district, and the cross-sectional design does not establish causation.

Practical implications: District councils and implementing partners should institutionalize transparent, inclusive decision-making, including gender-sensitive meeting arrangements and clear feedback on technical and budgetary decisions.