Georgia, Tbilisi / Trend corr.N.Lirckhalia / The Azerbaijani residents of the Kapanakhchi and Kesalo villages of Georgia have demanded the Kvemo Kartli authorities to supply them with drinking water. The residents all gathered in Rustavi and claimed that they have been without drinking water for several days.
The Azerbaijanis who gathered in front of the Kvemo Kartli administration building have claimed that they have had to use polluted water from the Kur River, which has caused infectious diseases. Several children have already been taken to the Central Rustavi Hospital with symptoms of poisoning.
The Director of Rustavvoda Limited company, Nodar Sheroziya, stated that the water supply to the villages had been discontinued due to debts owed to the company by the residents. The water supplywas discontinued in 15 villages of the Marneul region of Georgia, their debts totaling $9,000. "The water supply will be restored once the residents pay their debts," Sheroziya stressed.
The Azerbaijani residents have requested that Zurab Melikishvili, the Governor of the region, hold negotiations with Sheroziya.
"The water problem in the Kapanakhchi and Kesalo villages should be resolved once water meters are set up. Rustavvoda Limited has cut off all illegal water channels to the villages," Melikishvili noted.
The Governor added that the residents would be supplied with drinking water, which will be accounted for by water meters.
The summer season involving watering of gardens and fields costs the residents $46.