Perceived impacts of artisanal and small-scale mining practices on water quality and community responsibilities in Songwe district, southern highlands of Tanzania

In artisanal and small-scale mining communities, the use of hazardous chemicals combined with inadequate waste management practices increasingly threatens access to clean and safe water. In Songwe District, Southern Highlands of Tanzania, artisanal and small-scale mining is a major livelihood activity but poses significant risks to domestic water sources. This study investigated community perceptions of water quality and stakeholder responsibilities through a combination of household surveys, interviews, observations, and document reviews. A total of 253 participants, including 150 randomly selected household heads, 75 miners, and 28 key informants purposively selected from Saza and Mbangala wards, were involved in the study. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 30, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. Results show that 99% of the miners are involved in gold mining, and 75% of miners use cyanide, and 24% use mercury, both of which are perceived to pose serious risks to water quality. Furthermore, 80% of miners lacked adequate tailings storage facilities, resulting in poor waste disposal management and potential leaching into the soil and water. The majority of respondents (90%) reported that water sources were discoloured, had an unpleasant odour or had a metallic taste, with 85% attributing these changes to artisanal and small-scale mining. Most participants identified local authorities (78%) and mining operators (65%) as responsible for safeguarding water quality. Since the study is based on community perception, it is recommended that an analysis of household water supply sources for cyanide and mercury be conducted for future studies. Although chemical concentrations in water were not measured, community perceptions reveal potential risks and highlight the need for regulatory measures, stakeholder engagement, and targeted educational interventions to protect domestic water in mining-affected areas.