$2.8bn needed to resolve Baku water-supply problem

A complete solution of the water-supply problem of Baku requires $2.8 billion, while the last government manat was allocated to the sector in 1989. This was announced in a news conference at the “Yeni Azerbaijan Party” Friday by the chairman of the Absheron Regional Water Joint Stock Company Ogtai Asadov.

According to him, the main problem is the obsolescence of water pipes and equipment of pumping stations. Another reason for the shortage of water is its uneconomical spending by the population. Mr. Asadov said the experimental installation of 5,000 water meters in Baku apartments resulted in reduction of water losses from 18 to 8 cubic meters per apartment. Touching upon payment for water consumption, Mr. Asadov said despite the cost value per cubic meter of AZM404, water is being sold the population for AZM185, while elsewhere in the world the figure stands at $1. He didn’t rule out the possibility of increasing the tariff.*