Published
06/06/2025, 13:00A new water supply system was officially opened in the village of Grigorievka in the Issyk-Kul region. The implementation of the Sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (SRWS) is part of the state policy for the development of basic infrastructure in rural areas. Investment in the project is the result of a partnership between the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, the World Bank and the Agency for Community Development and Investment (ACDI).
According to official data, as a result of the new system, 6,012 people, or 1,716 households, now have sustainable access to clean water. Previously, villagers faced water shortages and poor water quality. The project has closed an infrastructure gap that was holding back the region's development.
"We have not just improved living conditions, we have laid the foundation for growth in human capital, employment and entrepreneurship in rural areas," said Deputy Prime Minister Bakty Torobaev.
What exactly has been invested
The infrastructure component of the project included:
In addition, the sanitary facilities in the rural school were completely renovated, hygiene education programmes were implemented, and four households received grants to improve their sanitary conditions.
The new water supply system reduces household costs for water delivery and treatment, creates conditions for increased labour productivity and employment, especially in the agricultural and social services sectors. Sustainable access to water also increases the investment attractiveness of the region and helps to retain the population in rural areas.
The project pays particular attention to institutional strengthening: a municipal water supply company has been established, 19 pieces of equipment have been transferred, and training on system management and operation has been provided. This reduces dependence on external administration and lays the foundation for the financial sustainability of the facility.
The project is financed with support from the World Bank and donors. According to World Bank Executive Director Beatrice Mazer, Grigorievka is part of a large-scale programme covering 71 villages and more than 164,000 residents.
"This project shows how even in remote areas it is possible to build a new level of infrastructure with clear management and coordination between donors, the state and the local population," said Hugh Riddell, World Bank Country Director for Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan continues to face infrastructure challenges in rural water supply. According to government estimates, more than 30% of rural settlements need complete modernisation of their water networks. In this context, projects such as PURSVS are becoming part of a systematic approach to sustainable development and the mitigation of regional inequalities.
The Grigoriev case demonstrates how investments in basic infrastructure can trigger economic multipliers: improved living conditions, growth of local entrepreneurship, increased employment and institutional development.
