Community Participation and Non-Governmental Organizations-Funded Rural Water Projects’ Sustainability: A Case of Chamwino District, Dodoma Region, Tanzania

Introduction: Every year, two million people die because of unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Children and young women living in rural communities are the most affected groups. To address this problem, NGOs have implemented various water projects across the country but their sustainability is questionable. Objective: To assess community participation and rural water projects’ sustainability in Chamwino District, Dodoma, Tanzania. Materials and Methods: The study was exploratory in nature, employing a qualitative approach. In-depth interviewing and focus group discussions methods were used to collect data from the participants. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants to get their insights on community participation and the sustainability of rural water projects in Chamwino District, Dodoma Region, Tanzania. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis, to embrace community participation in the rural water projects, which can affect their sustainability. Results: Findings show that lack of community participation, lack of community support, and involvement at various stages of project implementation from the designing, implementation, operation, and monitoring and evaluation through various village water committees are key factors negatively impacting sustainability of rural water projects implemented in Chamwino District. Conclusions: Effective community participation, community support, and participation from the designing, implementation, operation, and monitoring and evaluation through water committees are key factors to be adhered to for the sustainability of rural water projects in Chamwino District and other areas in Tanzania.