This guide provides a comprehensive analysis of the key challenges in the water supply and sanitation sector in Uzbekistan. The document highlights critical issues such as the low coverage of centralized drinking water supply and sanitation systems, deteriorating infrastructure, poor water quality, inefficient management, and gaps in the regulatory framework. The underlying causes include the lack of up-to-date and transparent data, weak coordination among government agencies, unauthorized water use, and environmental pollution.
The guide proposes strategic measures to modernize the sector, including improving data sharing, strengthening public participation, developing laboratory capacity, revising water quality standards, addressing legal gaps, and implementing mechanisms for public-private and community partnerships.
The second part of the guide offers a comprehensive analysis and recommendations for the introduction of alternative sanitation solutions in settlements not connected to centralized sewerage systems, taking into account geographic and socio-economic conditions.
Three key figures:
- 20 meters – the groundwater level has dropped by 5 to 20 meters in 22 districts over the past 20 years.
- $3.26 billion – the total amount of international loans attracted for water supply and sanitation projects by 2025.
- 6 million m³ – the annual volume of untreated wastewater discharged into the environment.
Three priority actions:
- Conduct a complete reassessment of projected groundwater resources and the approval of reserves, pilot deep learning technologies, and increase funding for artificial recharge measures.
- Mandate alignment of project designs with hydrogeological data and resources, implement independent performance monitoring, ensure public reporting, and establish a unified database of all infrastructure projects.
- Develop wastewater discharge standards based on water body categories, prohibit sewer connections without local treatment, relocate high-risk industries outside populated areas, and adopt the principles of Best Available Techniques (BAT).
