Uzbekistan on track to improve water access to 81% by year-end

Botir Zakirov, the Minister of Construction and Municipal Services of Uzbekistan, reported that 77% of the population now has access to centralized drinking water. He provided this information in response to a parliamentary inquiry, as reported by the press service of the Legislative Chamber.

The Chamber had sent the minister an inquiry regarding "The work being carried out in the field of drinking water supply and wastewater disposal." It requested detailed explanations regarding the measures taken to complete projects in the drinking water supply and wastewater disposal sectors, as well as efforts to install modern remote-reading water meters for consumers.

During the Chamber's session on April 30, deputies reviewed the response to this parliamentary inquiry. It was noted that between the years 2017 and 2023, as part of the program to develop the country's social and production infrastructure, nearly 15 trillion UZS were allocated to construct and commission 5,166 drinking and wastewater facilities.

During this period, with collaboration from foreign financial institutions and government financial organizations, 124 major facilities were constructed as part of projects totaling $825 million. As a result, the rate of the population's access to centralized drinking water has increased from 64% in 2017 to 77%.

Additionally, 9.3 million people have been provided with centralized drinking water for the first time, and the drinking water supply has been improved for 7.3 million citizens. This has allowed for an additional 221 thousand consumers to receive services based on contractual agreements.

In 2024, work will continue with 1 trillion 94 billion UZS allocated from the state budget to construct 68 drinking water facilities and 21 wastewater facilities, and to lay 861 km of drinking water and 201 km of wastewater pipelines. Furthermore, as part of 20 projects involving foreign financial institutions and government financial organizations, a total of $308.2 million is planned to be utilized, which includes laying 452 km of drinking water and 110 km of wastewater pipelines, as well as constructing 8 water distribution facilities and 15 wastewater pump stations.

According to the response to the parliamentary inquiry, in 2024, it is planned to commence 4 major projects valued at $256.7 million. Consequently, by the end of the year, the rate of the population's access to drinking water is expected to increase from 77% to 81%, according to the report from the press service of the Legislative Chamber.

During the session, the responsible committee was tasked with reviewing the response to the parliamentary inquiry in conjunction with the relevant ministry and refining it based on the proposals and recommendations raised by the deputies.