To give more voice to communities, Tanzania has established District Water and Sanitation Teams (DWSTs). A DWST facilitates community meetings and discusses the benefits and limitations of different options so that communities can make informed choices. A DWST also trains community members in required skills and provides support for major repairs or expansions of water supply systems.

In the late 1980s, a gravity flow water supply system was constructed in the village of Vikenge, in the Mvomero district of Tanzania, to provide drinking water to three villages. But as the population of the villages increased, the supply was no longer sufficient. The local water committee tried to find a solution to provide water from a tap at specific hours. Although this temporarily solved the problem, a long-term solution would involve increasing the water flows.

The community lacked the technical knowledge to undertake the work, and in 2008 sought support from the DWST in Mvomero. Several meetings between the community and the DWST were held. The result was an action plan, whereby the DWST committed technical assistance and materials (cement, pipes and fittings), and the community provided local materials and labour for excavation and transporting materials to the sites.

Although work is still in progress, the situation has improved. More water is available, and users have shown increased willingness to pay for the operating costs of their water supply. The project also helped the DWSTs gain recognition and hence credibility as a government agency.