The village of Muras now has round-the-clock access to clean drinking water

A ceremony was held in the village of Muras, in the Leylek District of the Batken Region, to mark the commissioning of the upgraded drinking water supply system as part of the ‘Improvement of Climate-Resilient Water Services’ project.

Through the implementation of the ‘Muras’ sub-project, around 3,500 residents living in 537 households in the village have gained access to safe, high-quality drinking water.

The sub-project was made possible thanks to the active support of the Cabinet of Ministers, which places particular emphasis on sustainable water supply, adaptation to climate change and improving the quality of life for the population.

The Department for the Development of Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation played a key role in the preparation, coordination and direct implementation of the project.

Prior to the project, the water supply system, built in 2002, was in a poor state of repair.

Water flowed by gravity from mountain springs, disinfection was carried out manually, and water was supplied on a scheduled basis. Worn-out networks and numerous sections in need of repair made it impossible to ensure a reliable and safe water supply for the population.

Following the completion of the reconstruction, the water supply system now provides a round-the-clock supply of clean water to all residents; sanitation and hygiene conditions have improved; public health has been enhanced; and the infrastructure’s resilience to climate change has been strengthened. Furthermore, the capacity of local authorities to manage water resources has been strengthened.

“Providing the population with high-quality drinking water is one of the state’s top priorities. The implementation of such projects helps to improve citizens’ living conditions, strengthen public health and promote the sustainable development of rural areas. Today, the residents of Muras have been provided with a modern and reliable water supply system that meets all safety and quality standards. We will continue our work to modernise water management infrastructure and will continue to provide the country’s villages with clean and safe drinking water”, — said Zarylbek Karataev, Director of the Department for the Development of Drinking Water Supply and Wastewater Management.

The implementation of the project will provide the residents of the village of Muras with reliable and sustainable access to clean drinking water, improve public health and hygiene standards, enhance the quality of life for the population, and reduce the risks associated with climate change and water scarcity.

“This sub-project is an important step towards enhancing the sustainability of Kyrgyzstan’s water resources. We are delighted to be working with the government and local communities to improve access to safe water and raise people’s standard of living”, — said Odette Mushimpua, Senior Water and Sanitation Specialist at the World Bank.

The project is being implemented with the support of the World Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industries, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Department for the Development of Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation.