Tajik Water phase II

Urban water supply and sanitation in Tajikistan is generally in bad condition due to the lack of investments and maintenance since the break-up of the Soviet Union. After a successful pilot project in Khujand city, the EBRD and co-financing donors started 5 multi-city water rehabilitation projects in 20 secondary cities in order to improve this situation in the Tajik water sector: the EBRD Water Programme, out of which SECO has co-financed 11 cities. This first priority phase of the EBRD Water Programme was only able to cover the most urgent needs. The EBRD now plans to start a second phase of investments - the proposed Tajik Water Phase II.

The overall objective of the Tajik Water Phase II is to further improve living conditions and economic opportunities of the participating cities through an improved water supply and sanitation. This includes safe and inclusive access to water and waste water treatment respectively, as well as better hygiene.

The specific objectives for the four cities co-financed by SECO are as follows:

1) The population has improved water supply and waste water coverage respectively at affordable costs.

2) The 4 water utilities operate the water supply and wastewater systems sustainably both in financial and operational terms.

3) The North and Khorog regional water companies are set-up and functioning.

4) Consumers conserve more water, have better hygienic conditions and pay their bills.

Capital Investments: to further improve municipal water supply and wastewater management in the 4 cities concerned. Technical assistance to support the project implementation units. Support of establishment of the RWCs in Chkalovsk and in Khorog.

Corporate Development Programme: to assist the RWCs and the four individual water companies in identifying and implementing the necessary corporate, financial and operational improvements with a view to strengthen the on-going corporate development and regional bundling. The North RWC will be supported by an operational expert that will coach the RWC, backed by a pool of experts to provide short term input as required. The support in Khorog will be more substantial, as the utility's capacities are much lower.

Stakeholder Participation Programme: (i) to explain the new regional set-up with the RWC to the various stakeholders- (ii) to strengthen customers' relations, to enhance water saving and improve public health.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

Capital Investments: Outputs in the 3 cities in the North: water supply network rehabilitated, sewage pumping station and sewerage network reconstructed- reservoir constructed. Outputs in Khorog: sewerage system rehabilitated, two sewage pumping stations and wastewater treatment plant reconstructed- operation and maintenance equipment supplied. Outputs RWCs: Management Information System Software and hardware for workplaces supplied- equipment (mechanical and electrical, leak detection) for maintenance supplied.

Corporate Development Programme Outputs: the commercial, technical and administrative departments at both RWC and utility level work well together. The financial and operational management of the water supply and wastewater services in the four targeted cities has improved.

Stakeholder Participation Programme Outputs: stakeholders understand the new regional set-up- customers pay their bills and save water- occurrence of water-bourne diseases reduced.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

Achievements of the first phase include the development of a tariff methodology and associated tariff increases (tariffs 2009: TJS 0.2 per m3 for households, TJS 0.4 per m3 for commercial enterprises- tariffs since June 2014: TJS 1.2 per m3 for households, TJS 3.8 per m3 for commercial enterprises). At water utility level, the corporate development components have improved corporate governance, e.g. by introducing Management Information Systems, International Financial Reporting Standards. The collection rate generally was 50-60% at project start and is now on average 90%. The capital investment components have partly rehabilitated the water distribution networks, installed water meters and renovated pumping stations. These improvements have resulted in much longer hours of water supply service. Public awareness measures were well attended and highly visible. The high collection rates, despite tariff increases, are also proof of the impact of the Stakeholder participation component.

Phase 2 01.01.2014 - 31.12.2020   (Completed)