Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - 85 percent of the population of Ferghana region, 75 percent of Tashkent, 61.9 percent of Khorezm and 54.2 percent of Kashkadarya regions are provided with centralized drinking water, the rest of the residents of these regions use alternative sources of drinking water. In the context of districts, the lowest rates are observed in some areas of Kashkadarya region, in particular in Guzar district it make up 2.1 percent, in Dekhkanabad - 2 percent.

These data were presented at a meeting of the Committee of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on ecology and environmental protection, which discussed the results of a study on the implementation of the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On additional measures for the development of drinking water supply and sanitation in the Republic of Uzbekistan” dated 30 November 2018 in Ferghana , Kashkadarya, Khorezm and Tashkent regions. Members of the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan faction were also involved in the control and analytical activities.

The event, held in the form of video-conferencing, was attended by deputies, the leadership of the Republican Center for State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, and the State Committee for Ecology and Environmental Protection.

Members of the committee noted that some work had been done to implement the said resolution. Targeted programs for the construction and reconstruction of water supply and sanitation facilities, implemented in 2019 in the territorial units of the country due to limits on centralized capital investments within the framework of the State Budget, have been approved. Based on these programs, measures were taken to implement 25 projects in Tashkent region, 23 in Ferghana region, 40 in Kashkadarya region and 8 in Khorezm region.

During the study, it turned out that, along with such positive work in all four areas, shortcomings were made in the implementation of projects in accordance with the approved industry schedules. In particular, due to funding problems, 17 projects in Tashkent, 20 projects in Ferghana and 14 projects in Kashkadarya regions were not completed.

A study by a working group in the city of Chirchik showed that the contractors caused damage to the road infrastructure during the laying of water pipes. Due to the fact that the contractor does not receive funds for road repairs, they become worthless. And this, as the deputies noted, rightly causes discontent among the population. This situation has become a systemic problem in almost all projects.

Providing the population with drinking water is an urgent issue, because it is precisely on its solution that human health depends. In some areas of all four regions, especially in many settlements of Khorezm and Kashkadarya regions, the population consumes imported water. However, most of the vehicles for the delivery of water does not meet the requirements. Residents of these areas, contrary to sanitary standards, are forced to store water in tanks and open tanks. This seriously affects their health.

At the committee meeting, attention was also paid to the systemic problems that exist in the regions: there is no single system that would ensure the collection, storage, regular updating and online monitoring of all information regarding drinking water consumption meters, water supply facilities and sewage systems. This leads to excessive water consumption and increased non-production costs. During the construction and reconstruction of water supply and sanitation facilities, work is not performed simultaneously. For example, in new multi-storey buildings there is no sewage system, although there is water supply, or vice versa. The sewerage system is in poor condition, which causes pollution of groundwater. This danger is aggravated by the delay in the implementation of some projects on sewer facilities, for example, in Bostanlyk and Kibray districts of Tashkent region, Ferghana, Uchkuprik, Besharyk districts of Ferghana and Yakkabag, Shakhrisabz, Kitab districts of Kashkadarya regions.

The study also found that in all four regions in most points of preparation and supply of water to the population there is no equipment for water disinfection. An analysis of the materials provided by the Agency for Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-Being shows that the quality of drinking water at the facilities does not meet the requirements of sanitation.

During the discussion, deputies expressed their views on eliminating problems and shortcomings, improving the legal framework of the sphere.

The relevant decision of the committee was adopted.