The State Unitary Enterprise Khojagii Manziliu Kommunali (KMK — the state holding company for public utilities) plans to raise water prices before the end of this year.
In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the KMK deputy director general, Ms. Marhabo Solotonova, revealed on July 13 that they plan to increase the water rate by 10 percent before the end of the year.
“It is demand of investors,” she said.
Meanwhile, the head of the Main Directorate Tojikobdehot (rural water supply), Bakhtiyor Safarov, noted that residential customers in the regions currently pay for water at the rate of 0.83 somoni per cubic meter.
“Current prices of one cubic meter of water are 1.10 somoni for federally funded institutions and 2.20 somoni for commercial enterprises,” Safarov said.
Over the last year, water prices rose 10 percent. On March 1, 2016, water prices rose 10 percent for residential customers as well as economic and commercial enterprises, and on July 1, 2016, water prices rose 10 percent for federally funded institutions.
The KMK first deputy director-general, Ravshan Tuichizoda, says population’s water debts have reached nearly 30 million somoni.
For its part, KMK now owes 37 million U.S. dollars to investors.
KMK specialists say the real cost price of one cubic meter of water is 2.30 somoni.
The State Unitary Enterprise Khojagii Manziliu Kommunali provides water supply services to all regions of the country, except Dushanbe. In Dushanbe, the State Unitary Enterprise Dushanbevodokanal (DVK — municipal water works) provides the water supply services.
In Dushanbe, current price of one cubic meter of water is 0.62 somoni. Residential customers who do not have water meters currently pay monthly 6.78 somoni per each member of family.
DVK raised the price for one cubic meter of water from 0.51 somoni to 0.62 somoni on January 1, 2017.
