BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 18. The non-revenue water reduction program's implementation in Azerbaijan poses importance, the Country Manager for the World Bank (WB) Stefanie Stallmeister said, Trend reports.
She made the remark at the presentation of the report "Transitioning to Efficient Water Sector Institutions and Programs for Addressing Water Security Challenges" in Baku today.
"We consider it important to implement a non-revenue water reduction program in Azerbaijan. This can be done through a public-private partnership mechanism, initially focusing on Baku and then expanding the program to other cities," she explained.
According to her, another step toward ensuring water security could be working on institutions and the regulatory framework for the effective functioning of the system, including a review of tariffs.
"Right now, water is too cheap, although its production is very costly. The government is investing huge amounts into the system," emphasized the World Bank manager.
She noted that, as a result, consumers will have to pay a little more, but this will help maintain the system in proper condition.
Stallmeister mentioned that Azerbaijan is facing a water deficit, which is exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
"The situation is further aggravated by the fact that about 70 percent of water resources in Azerbaijan are transboundary, meaning water supplies to this country depend on other ones," the WB official added.
To note, the above report has been presented by the State Agency for Water Resources of Azerbaijan, the European Union (EU), and WB.
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