Abstract:
Community participation in water resources management has become widely adapted by many
countries over past few years. In Tanzania community participation is done by incorporating
the principles of integrated water resources management (IWRM). It also incorporating among
other things democratizcd water management institutions and the principles of stakeholder
participation as it was presented and regarded as the cornerstone of the water reforms. This
research examined the functions of water user association which is the community institution
mandated to manage water resources at the local level. Participation of communities in
management of watcr resources is done through merging the different groups of watcr users
into associations namely Water User Associations (WUA) as a mechanism for stakeholder's
participation. WUA are believed to be appropriate community institutions that can help in
water conservation, management, equitable allocation, collection for water user fees and
mediation of disputes at user level. The results from the main study indicated that there are no
satisfactory results in the management of water resource in Pangani mainstem sub-catchment.
In many parts of the sub-catchment water conflicts are increasing, sources have deteriorated
and water infrastructures are vandalized. In order to enhance the performance of Water User
Association, the study has proposed windows for opportunity for the performance of water user
association by strengthening four main areas of representation to the water user association.
Other options and recommendations are to ensure regular training and awareness to the water
users on the importance of managing water resources under the whims of the association of
water users
