Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - The Central Asian Regional Conference on Water Supply and Sanitation has completed its work in Tashkent. Water supply and wastewater systems are very vulnerable to extreme events and their reliability in the region is still an urgent issue.

As part of the event, participants from five countries of the region discussed the development of water supply and sanitation services that are resistant to climate change.

This conference was initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the World Bank, with the support of the Water and Energy Program for Central Asia (CAWEP) and the Global Fund for Disaster Risk Reduction and Elimination (GFDRR).

Water and sanitation services are expected to be more affected by the effects of climate change. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including floods and droughts, is increasing. They affect the operation of the water supply and sanitation infrastructure, as well as the operation of wastewater treatment (decontamination) facilities, thus affecting the protection of public health.

Floods create problems for the removal of stormwater flows, the operation of treatment systems and the continuous operation of water supply and sanitation systems. Droughts lead to an increase in the concentration of pollutants, which requires the use of more effective cleaning and protection options. Above air temperatures and a decrease in fresh water quality can lead to an increase in favorable conditions for the propagation of disease vectors and outbreaks of infections. The spread of toxic microorganisms also negatively affects the quality of the food chain and food.

In order to assess and manage risks and solve problems specific to different conditions (urban and rural water supply systems), an integrated approach is needed to address cross-cutting issues, such as the role of the health and environmental sectors in extreme weather events, as well as a dialogue on policy issues and multisectoral collaboration. In critical conditions, water and sanitation services are no longer “healthy,” and can become a serious source of pollution, sometimes irreversible, that can also spread across national borders.

“Water supply and sanitation can not only positively affect the health status and living conditions of people, but also are an important element for the development of a stable and prosperous economy in Central Asian states. Joint efforts to address water supply and sanitation should be one of the top priorities in the region,” said Lilia Burunchuk, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia.

“Providing the population with clean drinking water and sanitation services is one of the priority goals in the Central Asian states. Uzbekistan has also confirmed in its programs of socio-economic development and in the framework of ongoing reforms that access to these services is crucial to improve the living standards of citizens, taking into account climate change, especially in rural areas. We are committed to ensuring the practical implementation of the adopted programs to achieve this important goal, ”said Muzaffar Saliyev, Minister of Housing and Public Utilities of Uzbekistan.

The conference brought together about 100 participants, including heads of utilities, scientific experts, representatives of government organizations and the private sector of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The conference presented the processes of assessment, planning and development of water supply and sanitation services in Central Asia that are resistant to climate change, as well as the possibility of deepening regional cooperation in this area.