Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 29 / Trend U. Ismayilova /
"The new the Oguz-Gabala-Baku water pipeline commissioned on Tuesday is an important event in Azerbaijan's life, not only for 2010, but for the next 20 years," Parliamentary Economic Policy Committee member, Ali Masimli, said.
"The ongoing oil expansion, as well as the building boom, observed in the country leads to a large inflow of capital from foreign companies, and the intermittent water supply is negligent against this background," Masimli noted.
Baku's permanent water supply is one of the most important moments in the process of improving infrastructure, which is essential for life and work of the population and existing businesses, Masimli said.
The important influence of the new water pipeline is the creation of new jobs. This will occur at the expense of the maintenance of the new facilities for the smooth functioning of the water supply system, he remarked.
Baku gets water from four sources. At the moment the capital receives 10.2 cubic meters per second. Baku observed water supply problems because of the long-term operation of the water network, and the inability of the current network to meet the needs of the developing city with its rapid population growth, and the expiring operation of water lines in the basements of buildings, for instance. Theretofore, only about 40 percent of the population of the city gets supplied with drinking water continuously, while 60 percent are not receiving water on schedule.
For the reception and distribution of water supply to Baku via the Oguz-Gabala-Baku, over 250 miles of water lines and more than 310 kilometers of sewer lines were put into place. Moreover, 15 pumping stations and a new reservoir with a capacity of 70,000 cubic meters were constructed. The city also renovated existing reservoirs carrying a total of 100,000 cubic meters of water.
In accordance with the technical requirements, the water pipeline will begin to operate at full power in February, supplying Baku with up to 15.2 cubic meters per second. The smooth flow of water to the city's residents will increase from 40 to 75 percent. At the same time, the part of the population receiving water off schedule will reduce from 60 to 25 percent, and time schedules will increase by more than 2 times.