Tariffs for drinking water, waste removal, and a number of other communal services have been increased in Tajikistan as of January 1 this year. Rates for households rose by 15%, while tariffs for businesses increased by 30%, Chairman of the country’s Committee for Housing and Communal Services Jamshed Tabarzoda said at a press conference on February 2.
According to Tabarzoda, the tariff revision is primarily aimed at improving the quality of communal services, modernizing engineering infrastructure, and ensuring the sustainable operation of housing and utilities enterprises.
Water supply and sewerage tariffs
Under the new decision, the price of one cubic meter of drinking water for households equipped with water meters has been set at 1.50 somoni. Sewerage services are charged at 0.76 somoni per cubic meter.
Based on a standard consumption rate of 5.4 cubic meters per person per month, expenses amount to:
· 8.10 somoni for drinking water;
· 12.20 somoni for water services including sewerage for households without water meters.
The calculation is based on an average daily water consumption of 180 liters per person.
For budget-funded organizations, the tariff has been set at 3.15 somoni per cubic meter, while self-financing and private enterprises will pay 5.43 somoni.
Regional tariff differences
Utility tariffs vary by region. According to data from the Committee for Housing and Communal Services, the following price ranges have been established.
Drinking water:
· households — from 1.40 to 1.82 somoni per m³;
· budget-funded organizations — from 2.26 to 3.90 somoni;
· businesses and organizations — from 4.52 to 7.25 somoni.
Sewerage services:
· households — from 0.76 to 0.99 somoni per m³;
· federally-funded institutions — from 1.64 to 2.05 somoni per m³;
· businesses and organizations — from 2.83 to 3.38 somoni per m³.
Solid waste removal
The average tariff for solid household waste removal has been set at 4.74 somoni. In particular:
· household waste removal — 6.83 somoni per m³;
· waste removal by KAMAZ truck — 35.65 somoni per m³;
· sanitary cleaning of areas — 1.13 somoni per m²;
· maintenance of housing stock — 0.17 somoni per m².
An additional fee of 0.80 somoni is charged for each extra kilometer if the transportation distance exceeds the established norm.
Where the new tariffs apply
The new tariffs are being applied in more than 45 cities and districts across the country, including Bokhtar, Kulob, Konibodom, Istaravshan, Panjakent, Vahdat, Tursunzoda, Hisor, Nurek, Rasht, Isfara, Murgab, Darvoz, Rushan, Shugnan, Roshtqala, Varzob, Yovon, Farkhor, Khuroson, Danghara, and others.
It is noted that not all local housing and communal services enterprises are subordinated to the national Committee. In some regions, tariffs are approved by local authorities, taking into account regional specifics and the technical condition of infrastructure.
Situation in Dushanbe
In Dushanbe, water supply and sewerage tariffs were increased earlier, effective September 1 last year.
Under the current rates:
· households with water meters pay 2.60 somoni per m³ (previously 2.26);
· federally-funded institutions — 3.59 somoni per m³ (previously 2.77);
· commercial organizations — 9.10 somoni per m³ (previously 4.28).
For consumers without water meters, the monthly charge per person is set at:
· 28.07 somoni in apartment buildings (previously 10.61);
· 23.39 somoni in private houses with water supply and sewerage (previously 7.10);
· 7.41 somoni for homes using public street water columns (previously 4.94).