Azerbaijan, Baku / corr. Trend I.Khalilova / The World Bank approved a US$230 million National Water Supply and Sanitation Project for Azerbaijan. The project aims to improve the quality of water supply and sanitation services in at least twenty regional centers (rayons) across the country, the WB reports.
According to the WB experts, the quality of water and sanitation infrastructure and services in many secondary and small towns in Azerbaijan has deteriorated severely over the years as a result of age, limited capital investment, and poor maintenance of facilities.
The project has three components:
-The Rayon Investment component finances the rehabilitation and extension of water supply and sewerage systems along with wastewater and septic sludge treatment facilities in at least twenty rayons.
- The Regional Development Plan for Greater Baku component finances the formulation of a Regional Development Plan for Greater Baku, which will provide the framework for future infrastructure investments (including water and sewerage investments) across the Absheron Peninsula.
- The Institutional Modernization component supports the development and implementation of key reforms needed for the modernization of Azersu and its subsidiary companies, as well as to the State Amelioration and Water Management Agency in Nakhchivan, in order to improve the efficiency and sustainability of Water Supply and Sanitation services.
By the time the project is completed, at least 700,000 people in the rayons are expected to have improved access to safe and reliable piped water supply, and to wastewater collection and disposal services.
The cost of the project is $310 mln.
Azerbaijan joined the World Bank in 1992. Since then, commitments to the country total approximately US$1, 057 million for 37 operations.