Mirziyoyev Orders Faster Water Supply Modernization

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the further development of drinking water supply and sewerage systems and instructed officials to accelerate infrastructure projects, expand access to services and strengthen the financial sustainability of the sector's enterprises.

According to the presentation, investment attracted to the sector has increased tenfold in recent years to US$2.7 billion. Access to centralized drinking water supply has risen from 63% in 2017 to nearly 83%.

During the same period, 7.7 million people gained access to centralized drinking water for the first time, while water supply services were improved for another 11 million residents. An additional 1.1 million people were connected to the sewerage network. A total of 39,000 kilometres of water pipelines and 3,200 kilometres of sewerage networks were built or reconstructed, while 3,400 water supply facilities and 295 sewerage facilities and pumping stations were built or modernized.

In the coming years, the government plans to increase centralized drinking water coverage to 90% and sewerage coverage in urban areas to 80%. An additional US$1.3 billion in investment is expected to be attracted to achieve these targets.

The president said that despite the progress made, the system for preparing and implementing projects, as well as identifying and resolving existing problems in a timely manner, requires further improvement.

Examples presented included a sewerage modernization project in Andijan financed with 107 billion soums, the installation of modern filtration systems to eliminate unpleasant odours in Tashkent's Sergeli district, and a water supply project for Surkhandarya Region using water from the Tupalang Reservoir. Water supply is also expected to be provided by the end of the year to Sherabad, Muzrabot, Angor and Jarkurgan districts.

During the presentation, officials outlined plans to provide centralized drinking water to another 513 mahallas and improve water supply quality in 3,000 mahallas. The government also plans to phase out 232,000 public water standpipes by replacing them with direct household connections to water networks.

By the end of this year, projects worth a total of US$600 million are scheduled for implementation, including the construction of 1,600 kilometres of water pipelines, 387 kilometres of sewerage networks, 80 water supply facilities and 29 sewerage facilities. As a result, 310,000 residents of 107 mahallas will receive centralized drinking water for the first time, while water supply services will improve for 2.5 million people living in 453 mahallas.

Particular attention was given to a US$217 million water supply project from the Hisorak Reservoir in Kashkadarya Region. Once completed, it will improve drinking water supply for 1.1 million residents of Kamashi, Guzar and Karshi districts, as well as the city of Karshi. Relevant agencies were instructed to complete the review of the project's feasibility study and determine funding sources.

Officials were also instructed to accelerate the signing of loan and grant agreements for water supply and sewerage projects in Ferghana, Surkhandarya and Jizzakh regions, as well as complete preparations for a decision on the construction of a new sewerage facility in Tashkent. By 1 September, negotiations with foreign partners on six projects worth a combined US$317 million are to be completed and financing mechanisms determined.

The presentation also addressed the financial sustainability of enterprises in the sector. It was noted that current tariffs do not cover the actual cost of services and that significant regional differences reduce the sector's investment attractiveness.

In response, proposals were presented to separate drinking water production from distribution, establish a trunk water supply company that would supply water to regional operators under a unified wholesale tariff, and create an interagency tariff commission. Beginning on 1 April 2027, a unified tariff for water supply and sewerage services is also planned for budget-funded organizations.

The president also stressed the need to accelerate the sector's digital transformation. According to forecasts presented during the meeting, drinking water consumption is expected to increase by another 230 million cubic metres by 2030 from the current level of 941 million cubic metres, requiring more efficient resource management and lower water losses.

To achieve this, officials were instructed to move all customer billing online, equip all subscribers in cities and district centres with modern remote-reading water meters, reduce water losses from 35% to 25% by creating a digital map of water networks and facilities, and introduce SCADA, GIS, telemetry technologies and a unified billing system.

The presentation also included projects involving artificial intelligence to analyze pumping equipment, forecast water demand, detect accidents and leaks, and process citizens' appeals more efficiently.

The president also endorsed a proposal to establish a separate faculty at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers and instructed officials to introduce a dual education system for drinking water supply and sewerage specialties at regional technical colleges.

Mirziyoyev instructed the responsible agencies to ensure the timely implementation of projects, expand service coverage, strengthen the financial sustainability of sector enterprises and continue the digital transformation of the industry.