A lack of safe sanitation threatens the wellbeing of many Tanzanians. Up to 30% of Tanzania's newborn deaths stem from hygiene-related ailments. Related healthcare cost financially strains the country’s institutions. This situation is dire in informal settlements, which house 80% of Dar Es Salaam’s residents. By addressing this problem, our sewerage networks will help to save the lives of countless Tanzanians.

Our simplified sewerage networks remove waste like traditional systems while using inexpensive features that adapt to settlements’ informal layout. Guided by the expertise of our student engineers, community members  volunteer to build the system and form associations for long-term network maintenance. We are also piloting technology to reduce dependence on waste stabilisation ponds and provide a cleaner cooking fuel by transforming waste into biofuel and fertiliser. These innovations create safer, healthier communities and diminish environmental pollution.

Our WaSH project's groundbreaking achievements include:

1. Construction of a simplified sewerage network for over 450 community members;

2. Construction of 44 accessible toilets which connect to the sewerage network;

 3. Creation of a community-based Sanitation Users’ Association for the long-term maintenance of the sewerage networks and the promotion of good hygiene practices.  

This summer, CDI's UK and Tanzanian volunteers will continue improving and scaling this model by:

1. Establishing a local team to partner with public agencies in expanding our  sewerage networks;  

2. Implementing technical improvements to our biogas digester system, aiming to optimise production to 30,000 litres daily, providing enough fuel to cook over 200 meals; 

3. Scaling CDI’s innovative design for the solar-powered drying of sewage sludge, continuing our efforts to achieve zero-waste sanitation and remove dependence on local sewage ponds.

To learn more, please visit our website.