Dar es Salaam — Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Corporation (Dawasco) will build three modern sewage treatment ponds for the city's domestic and industrial waste matter.

The Chief of Operations, Mr Jackson Midala, told journalists in the city yesterday that Dawasco has already secured funds from the government and donors for the project. However, he declined further financial details.

He said one pond would be built at the Jangwani area near the Muhimbili National Hospital, one at Mbezi Beach area and the third in Temeke. Dar es Salaam has close to six million people with a very poor sewage and storm water drainage system. The city literally floods whenever it drizzles.

Mr Midala said treated water from the ponds would be suitable for irrigation and even domestic use after being treated with addition chemicals.

"The project aims at improving Dawasco's services as well maintaining sustainable environment for humans and other fauna and plant forms," said Mr Midala.

He added that the company had already used more than Sh40 billion on a new water delivery system for Dar es Salaam and Coast regions.

The projects involved laying new pipes so as to control loss of water through leakages as a result of poor and aged infrastructure.

According to Mr Midala about Sh12billion would be used to replacing water pipes in Kibaha Maili Moja and Mlandizi and that the project would be completed by January 2010.

Furthermore, similar projects in Mbezi Beach and Tegeta areas will cost at least Sh7.5 billion while the project in Kimara, Mbezi Luisi, Changanyikeni and Makongo Juu will cost Sh8.3 billion.

Dawasco also plans to upgrade pipes in Segerea, Tabata and Makuburi at a cost of Sh6.9 billion while the Ubungo, Msasani, Mikocheni, Mwenge, and Mabibo project will cost Sh6.3 billion.