BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Central Asia, home to countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, is grappling with significant challenges in drinking water and sanitation. The region’s complex hydrological landscape, coupled with rapid population growth, urbanization, and the looming threat of climate change, is placing tremendous pressure on already strained water resources. In this context, bridging the investment gap in the water sector is crucial for ensuring sustainable development and improving the quality of life for millions.
According to experts and international organizations, over 2 billion people worldwide currently lack access to safe drinking water. If urgent action isn’t taken, this situation is expected to deteriorate further. By 2050, global consumption of drinking water is projected to increase by 50%. Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water resources and sanitation for all is not just a regional concern—it’s a global imperative, enshrined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6.
In an interview with Trend, Arman Akhunbaev, Head of the Sectoral Analysis Center at the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), highlighted the severity of the water availability crisis in Central Asia. “The problem of water availability is particularly acute in Central Asia,” Akhunbaev said. “Today, 10 million people, or 14% of the population, do not have access to safe drinking water. The funding for water supply and sanitation programs in Central Asian countries is inadequate to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030. From 2025 to 2030, the region faces a funding shortfall of more than $12 billion—about $2 billion annually. Securing this financing is crucial for the water and sanitation sector. The economic impact of these investments could be profound, with each dollar invested generating an average of three additional dollars in the economy. Investment is essential to ensure public health, education, and social welfare.”
Akhunbaev pointed to several key challenges exacerbating the water crisis in the region: water scarcity, aging infrastructure, deteriorating water quality, poor management practices, and rapid urbanization.
“We’ve seen a dramatic increase in water withdrawals for domestic use, doubling from 4.2 cubic meters to 8.5 cubic meters between 1996 and 2020,” Akhunbaev noted. “Moreover, the wear and tear on water supply infrastructure and treatment facilities have reached alarming levels, with 80% of these systems showing significant deterioration. In Kazakhstan, 50% of water treatment and pumping stations are over 70% worn out. In Kyrgyzstan, only 27.5% of the water supply is treated through proper facilities. In Tajikistan, 80% of treatment plants are in unsatisfactory technical condition. Meanwhile, in Uzbekistan, more than 30% of the population consumes drinking water that fails to meet safety standards.”
These grim statistics underscore the urgent need for investment and modernization in the region’s water infrastructure to avoid worsening social and economic consequences.
Arman Akhunbaev has raised alarms over the potential threat to national security in Central Asian countries posed by the failure of drinking water to meet sanitary and epidemiological standards. This issue, he believes, could have far-reaching consequences if not urgently addressed.
Beyond the immediate challenges of water scarcity and infrastructure decay, Central Asia's water supply and sanitation sector is plagued by poor management practices. These include the decentralization of management systems in towns and villages, the transfer of water infrastructure to local authorities, the privatization of housing, and the shifting of responsibility for maintenance and repair to the population. Additionally, there is a glaring lack of coordination between state and local authorities and the companies operating within the sector. The result is a deterioration in the quality of planning and design, a 2-3.5 fold increase in the cost of emergency repairs, and a decline in the reliability of quality water supply to the population.
According to the World Bank, over 25% of the population in Central Asia lacks access to safe drinking water, and approximately 40% does not have adequate sanitation facilities. The problem is especially severe in rural areas, where the water and sanitation infrastructure is outdated and in dire need of modernization and expansion.
Experts interviewed by Trend highlighted that inadequate funding, bureaucratic barriers, and weak institutional support are exacerbating the situation. The investment gap in the drinking water and sanitation sector is estimated to be in the billions of dollars, making it imperative to attract investment and enhance water resource management through urgent and coordinated action.
Experts agree that attracting private investors is essential to addressing Central Asia’s water crisis, and this requires creating a favorable investment climate. This involves ensuring transparency and predictability in the regulatory environment, cutting through bureaucratic red tape, and offering tax and other incentives to companies willing to invest in water and sanitation infrastructure. In this context, establishing effective public-private partnerships (PPPs) is seen as a crucial step toward securing the long-term investments needed to modernize and expand infrastructure.
Another critical issue is the establishment of fair and sustainable tariffs for water and sanitation services. Currently, many tariffs fall short of covering operating and capital costs, resulting in a lack of funds for maintenance and system upgrades. Introducing tariffs that reflect the true cost of services, while considering social support for vulnerable groups, could promote more efficient resource use and attract additional investment.
International financial institutions, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, are key players in financing water and sanitation projects in Central Asia. By increasing funding, providing concessional loans and grants, and offering technical assistance, these institutions can help bridge the investment gap and support the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects.
Attracting new investments is undoubtedly crucial, but equally important is the need to improve the efficiency of existing resources. This can be achieved through the introduction of modern technologies, reducing water losses in supply systems, enhancing the energy efficiency of water treatment plants, and integrating renewable energy sources. Effective water resource management at both national and regional levels will also play a vital role in ensuring that investments are used more effectively.
Raising public awareness about the importance of efficient water use and the necessity of infrastructure investment is another key factor for success. Educational programs, information campaigns, and training initiatives can help foster a more responsible attitude toward water resources and build public support for investment efforts.
Bridging the investment gap in Central Asia's drinking water supply and sanitation sectors requires a comprehensive approach. This includes improving the investment climate, optimizing tariff policies, fostering active international cooperation, and enhancing the efficiency of resource use. It is crucial to recognize that without significant investments and the modernization of infrastructure, the region will face escalating water and sanitation challenges, which could lead to serious social and economic consequences.
Central Asia holds significant development potential, and closing the investment gap in the water sector is a crucial step toward unlocking this potential. Addressing the challenges in water supply and sanitation will not only drive sustainable development but also vastly improve the quality of life for millions of people across the region.