Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation in Central Asia

Drinking water accounts for merely 7% of total water consumption in Central Asia, but its supply plays a special priority role in sustainable development. Drinking water is a critical health factor. However, the poor technical condition of water supply and treatment facilities in all countries of Central Asia (depreciation: up to 80%) prevents their proper operation, making it impossible to produce drinking water of high quality. The sector suffers from high water loss (up to 55%), with 9.9 million people (13.5% of total population) having no access to safe drinking water. Achievement of SDG 6 in Central Asia is possible if a $2 billion infrastructure financing gap is closed every year in 2025–2030. International financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and development agencies can contribute to reducing the investment deficit in the water supply and sanitation sector. One of the possible solutions is to mobilise private capital and management expertise of major players (including through public-private partnerships). It is advisable to enforce balanced investment planning strategies and policies, review tariffs, increase the R&D and educational potential of the water sector, etc.