Water supply prices and garbage removal fees will not be raised this year, Jamshed Tabarzoda, the head of the State Unitary Enterprise (SUE) Khojagii Manziliu Kommunali (KMK -- the state holding company for public utilities), told reporters in Dushanbe on February 15.  

“However, the rates are low and do not cover KMK expenses,” he noted.  

For the last time, water supply rates were raised in Tajikistan in 2018.  

Recall, current average prices for water supply services provided by KMK are 1.09 somonis for residential customers, 2.02 somonis for federally funded institutions, and 3.48 somonis for commercial enterprises.

Current average sewerage rates set by KMK are 0.55 somoni for residential customers, 1.09 somoni for federally funded institutions, and 1.82 somonis for commercial organizations.

KMK now provides water supply services to 13 percent of the country’s population.  Companies for public utilities in Dushanbe, Khujand, Faizobod, Nurek, Kulob, Yovon, Vahdat, Varzob, Shahrinav and Tursunzoda are subordinate to local authorities.  In Dushanbe, for example, the State Unitary Enterprise Dushanbevodokanal (DVK -- municipal water works) provides the water supply services.

Meanwhile, by decree issued on June 23 last year the Government of Tajikistan endorsed a new procedure of working out rates for water supply and wastewater utilities.  The new procedure reportedly takes into consideration water losses in water supply and water quotas.