Water rates are expected to rise 20 percent in Khujand, the capital of the northern province of Sughd, beginning on May 1.  The price of garbage collection will also increase. 

Abduhallim Numonov, an engineer-in-chief at the State Unitary Enterprise (SUE) Khujandvodokanal (municipal waterworks), has justified the decision to raise water rates as resulting from increase in electricity and fuel prices.  

“Starting from May 1 this year, the price for one cubic meter of drinking water for residential customers will be 1.44 somonis and the sewer bill for them will be 0.96 somoni,” Numonov told Asia-Plus in an interview.  

Current price for one cubic meter of drinking water and sewer bill for residential customers are 1.20 somonis and 0.80 somoni, respectively. 

According to Numonov, the new prices are approved by the Antimonopoly Agency under the Government of Tajikistan.  

Water rates for federally funded institutions will also be raised starting from May 1.  “They will pay for drinking water at the rate of 2.45 somonis and 1.44 somonis for sewerage,” Numonov added.  

For self-supporting organizations, the price for one cubic meter of drinking water and sewer bill will be set at 7.20 somonis and 2.04 somonis, respectively.  

Khujandvodokanal provides water supply services the city of Khujand and part of Bobojon-Ghafourov district.