Tajikistan is a water-rich country; however access of people to safe drinking water and sanitation in rural areas is very limited. Only 43.4% of rural population have access to safe drinking water and 0.2% - to sewage system and good sanitary conditions. The lack of access to sanitation infrastructure and poor hygiene practices cause spread water-borne diseases.

Deteriorated and poorly maintained infrastructure, limited financial investments, insufficient technical and managerial capacities, weak institutions and inadequate policies are the main factors leading to insufficient service delivery in the safe drinking water and sanitation sub-sector.

Outcome 1: People benefit from innovative and sustainable water and sanitation services and improved hygiene practices

Outcome 2: Water governance bodies effectively manage drinking water supply and sanitation systems

Outcome 3: Conducive policy environment at national level allows for effective management of drinking water and sanitation systems in rural areas

Expected results:  

• One new water system constructed (for 5’000 people) and seven existing maintained;

• One faecal sludge management system including Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant and pit desludging service established for 1’500 households (at least 10’000 people, 50% women) and 3 hospitals;

• One sustainable decentralized wastewater treatment facility for 3 hospitals constructed;

• Market-based mechanism in place to source, promote and sell the range of sanitation products;

• 200 improved private pit latrines procured and installed by the population in Rudaki district;

• At least 7’000 children in seven schools and 100 medical staff in 7 health centres trained for better hygiene and sanitation practices;

• The staff of 3 districts authorities completed capacity development training courses;

• Operation of 7 water supply systems meets national & international service performance criteria;

• Approval of new edition of Law on Drinking water, at least three policy recommendations on taxation policy and fully recoverable tariff facilitated;

• Revised technical norms and standards for water and sanitation systems endorsed and implemented in rural areas.

Results from previous phases:  

• More than 48’000 (50.1% women) people got access to safe drinking water in Rudaki, Muminobod and Kulob districts;

• 14 water supply systems constructed and operated by community-based water management structures;

• Access to sanitation improved in 8 schools  (6’500 schoolchildren and 536 school staff) and 6 health facilities (365 medical staff and at least 1’000 patients per month);

• 3 Water Trust Funds (WTF) established in Rudaki, Muminabad and Kulob districts;

• Laws and policy documents on ownership of water supply systems, taxation and water tariffs enacted;

Analysis of the national state of de-monopolization and of the private sector involvement in the sphere of drinking water supply and sanitation and review of sanitation policy and practice in Tajikistan conducted.

Phase 3 01.07.2018 - 30.06.2022   (Completed)