DUSHANBE, March 28, Asia-Plus -- Dushanbe’s municipal waterworks (Dushnabevodokanal or DVK) is currently projecting a document to raise water prices, the DVK director Azam Tabarov remarked at a news conference in Dushanbe on March 28.  

According to him, current water prices are 51 dirams per one family member per month for multi-story residential buildings, 42 dirams for individual residential buildings with sewer system, and 24 dirams for individual residential buildings without sewerage. 

Tabarov said that their specialists had calculated their expenses and come to a conclusion that water should be realized to the public at the rate of at least 85 dirams per one cubic meter instead of the current 2.5 dirams.    

“We have sent our estimates for consideration to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade,” said the DVK head, “However, even if the ministry endorses this rate [85 dirams per one cubic meter], it will not cover all our expenses on reagents for purification of water, which we purchase from other countries at world prices.”

Tabarov added that Tajikistan has lowest prices of water in Central Asia.  

Asked about the rate of collection of funds for water, the DVK top manager noted that their specialists are taking measures to raise the rate of the collection of funds from the public and enterprise.   

According to him, at present a total debt of water consumers to the municipal waterworks amounts to more than 8.035 million somonis.  “The public now owes 3.5 million somonis to Dushnabevodokanal,” Tabarov said.