The study establishes the influence of ethics control mechanisms on the performance of water projects in Tanzania. The study adopted a critical empirical review of published researches. Specifically, the paper examined the unethical practices in water projects, the common causes for unethical practices and offer possible solutions to mitigate the practices. The end result of the paper is seeing improved implementation of water projects in the country i.e. on time, on budget and of high quality water projects. Findings from reviewed studies revealed that “Dark contracts”, intentional misreporting, inflated contract sum, unfair and dishonest conducts by contractors, fraud, buy-in tactics, bribery and corruption, collusion tendering, taking shortcuts, using substandard materials and shoddy construction significantly affects implementation of water projects in Tanzania. The effects of unethical practices on performance of water projects ranges from over-pricing of activities, time and cost-overruns, delays in water projects implementation, low absorption of resources and finally poor quality of water projects. Therefore, the opposite of the above, is that projects that went through due processes are highly correlated to their performance and sustainability. From my review, projects of this category seem to be limited given the ethical dilemma in the country. These findings indicate non-compliance to Public Procurement Act (2011) by contractors in public projects for many years. The paper concludes that if government control’s ethics, performance of water projects would be obvious. Contractors and consultants would have insignificant influence if the government is upright there and complies with the legal requirements not based on recommendation from third party. This paper forms a foundation and feedback to the water sector in Tanzania. It recommends transparency and publication of contracts, use of whistleblowing-channels, strengthening project management control systems, client involvement and strict contract exit strategy based on Post Implementation Review report to ensure successful performance of water projects in Tanzania.

Key words: Ethics, control mechanisms, performance, water projects, Tanzania,