The Water Supply and Sanitation Act 2009 provides the legal institutional framework for the management and provision of water supply and sanitation services. The Water Supply and Sanitation Act makes the Boards of Directors the sole mandated authorities to obtain the licenses for the provision of water and sanitation services, in the area of their jurisdiction. The Water Supply and Sanitation Act aims at addressing the weaknesses and challenges that face the water industry.

Musoma Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (MUWASA), being one of the urban water supply and sanitation authorities, is an autonomous legal entity established on 1st July 1998 as per the Water Act as amended by Act No.8 of 1997 and as repealed replaced by the Water Supply and Sanitation Act No.12 of 2009. The law entrusts MUWASA to supply potable water and provide sanitation services to the residents of Musoma Municipality at reasonable prices and agreed quality in accordance with the service standards and guidelines provided by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MoWI) and the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA).