USAID Rural Water Supply Activity

BACKGROUND

The USAID Rural Water Supply Activity (RWS) supports small-scale rehabilitation of drinking water infrastructure in targeted rural communities along with training and guidance to establish cost-efficient, financially viable, business models, for safe drinking water services. The activity uses a holistic systems approach to strengthen the technical, financial, managerial, and planning capacities of rural drinking water providers, while also improving communications with local authorities and served communities. To ensure that access improvements are sustained, USAID Rural Water Supply Activity targets three mutually reinforcing goals.

GOALS

RWS aims to improve health and resilience in Tajikistan through increased sustainable access to safe drinking water in rural communities.

Goal One

Increase access to safely managed drinking water in rural Tajikistan through the rehabilitation and construction of small-scale infrastructure projects.

Goal Two

Establish reliable and commercially viable drinking water services through improved management and access to finance.

Goal Three

Increase engagement of communities in oversight and accountability of drinking water service providers.

KEY RESULTS

RWS has completed the rehabilitation and expansion of three rural drinking water systems: in Chorbogh village, A. Jomi district, Khatlon region; Sumchak village, B. Ghafurov district, Sughd region; and in Zainabobod jamoat, Rudaki district. As a result, more than 16,000 people now receive regular access to drinking water. The rehabilitation of a rural drinking water supply system in Sarikui village, Konibodom city is expected to be completed by the end of April 2023, when 7,000 people will receive safe and reliable drinking water supply services.

RWS has established its first two public-private partnerships to operate two municipal drinking water systems. This includes one private company and one civil society organization that signed an agreement with local government bodies and communities to operate and maintain drinking water systems. This provides a sustainable model and is a major milestone in showing that PPPs can be a successful model in providing basic services in Tajikistan.

RWS has contributed to streamlining PPP development for small drinking water systems, and notably using the revision of the PPP Law to suggest simpler processes.

RWS established eight Consumers Advisory Boards to improve the dialogue and accountability of both service providers and consumers. Also, the activity trained local government officials and service providers on mechanisms for sound drinking water governance, service performance indicators, and monitoring of drinking water services.