Wells are identified and drilled only by the State Geological Committee

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on February 8 to improve drinking water supply in the regions. The meeting set tasks to enhance the supply of drinking water.

This issue has been in the centerpiece of all social programs. Over the past five years, the sector has received 10 trillion UZS, or 5 times more than in previous years. During this period, 6,500,000 people were provided with centralized drinking water for the first time.

Last year, 474 waterworks were built and about 6,300 kilometers of networks were laid. Water supply to more than 2 million people in 592 neighborhoods has been improved.

However, there are still many makhallas that are struggling. In particular, in Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya and Jizzakh regions the supply of drinking water is less than 60%. In Guzar, Dehkanabad, Kasan, Sherabad, Angor, Gallaaral and Khatirchi districts, the figure is less than 30%.

Therefore, over the next five years, it is intended to invest 40 trillion UZS in the sector, boosting the supply of drinking water to 90% and sewage coverage to 35%. This year, the budget will allocate 2 trillion UZS and $ 245 million US for these purposes.

The meeting focused on the protection of rivers and groundwater.

To date, 1,500 of the 8,000 water wells have become unusable. As a result, the water supply of 2 million people in about 800 neighborhoods has deteriorated. Groundwater reserves in the Zaamin, Nurata and Koshrabat fields have been abated to 30 meters due to uncontrolled drilling and sand and gravel extraction from the Zarafshan and Chirchik rivers.

Therefore, from now on, the identification and drilling of water wells will be carried out only by the State Geological Committee. Authorities have been instructed to register wells and tighten riverbanks.