Resources / Review of Key Reforms in Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector. Kyrgyz Republic

Summary

The Kyrgyz Republic, or Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian state of approximately 5.5 million people, serves as a source of water supply for neighboring countries, which use more than 80 percent of the over-the-surface flow of the country’s rivers. The remaining 20 percent is channeled for irrigation.

Drinking water supply in Kyrgyzstan relies mostly on artesian underground sources, which account for 80 percent of total water consumption for drinking and domestic needs.

There are, however, problems that must be addressed.

More than 40 percent of the centralized water supply systems in the country needs replacing and about 30 percent are in an unsatisfactory technical condition. Lack of budget funding or credit resources means these problems remain unresolved, compounded by no national public authority to coordinate any work.

This report provides full details of the current situation in Kyrgyzstan, looking closely at the management and ownership of Public Water Supply and Sanitation Systems.

Legislation, governance, policy and tariffs are explained, along with private sector involvement, subsidies and financing. Building a substantial reference document that explains the whole water and sanitation sector in Kyrgyzstan.