By decree issued on June 23 the Government of Tajikistan has endorsed a new procedure of working out rates for water supply and wastewater utilities.
This procedure has been developed on the basis of Article 15 of the RT Law “On Drinking Water Supply and Wastewater Utilities” for the purpose of introducing a single mechanism of working out rates for water supply services.
The new decree must determine the further policy of the Government on providing the population with safe drinking water and ensure profitableness of Vodokanal (water works).
The new procedure reportedly takes into consideration water losses in water supply and water quotas.
The Government orders the Antimonopoly jointly with water supply and sewerage enterprises to determine and approve water supply and sewerage rates.
Meanwhile, in a decree issued on June 5, the president ordered not to raise utilities rates until the end of this year.
Recall, the State Unitary Enterprise Khojagii Manziliu Kommunali (KMK — the state holding company for public utilities) has proposed to raise water prices and garbage removal fees. It has submitted its proposals for consideration to the government.
The State Unitary Enterprise Khojagii Manziliu Kommunali now provides water supply services to 13 percent of the country’s population. Companies for public utilities in Dushanbe, Khujand, Faizobod, Nurek, Kulob, Yovon, Vahdat, Varzob, Shahrinav and Tursunzoda are subordinate to local authorities. In Dushanbe, for example, the State Unitary Enterprise Dushanbevodokanal (DVK — municipal water works) provides the water supply services.
Current average prices for water supply services provided by KMK are 1.09 somoni for residential customers, 2.02 somoni for federally funded institutions, and 3.48 somoni for commercial enterprises.
Current average sewerage rates set by KMK are 0.55 somoni for residential customers, 1.09 somoni for federally funded institutions, and 1.82 somoni for commercial organizations.
