One of the critical issues plaguing Azerbaijan's water sector is the substantial amount of non-revenue water, Smita Misra, Lead Water Specialist at the World Bank, said during an event titled "Transitioning to Efficient Water Sector Institutions and Programs for Addressing Water Security Challenges" held in Baku, Report informs.
According to Misra, the primary culprits behind this dire situation are aging pipelines, corrosion, and neglect: “The current non-revenue water ratio hovers around a staggering 50%, demanding immediate intervention. The existing tariffs are approximately 0.7 manat ($0.41) and may remain stable. However, there is a pressing need to enhance productivity in this sector.”
Furthermore, the World Bank official revealed that 75% of Azerbaijan's population relies on piped water supply. "However, this does not necessarily translate to a reliable and sustainable service. While 69% of the population has access to improved sanitation facilities, the majority of these are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural regions to bear the brunt of the crisis. The infrastructure is outdated and inadequate. We are confronted with aging water treatment plants,” Misra said.
“Azerbaijan's heavy reliance on transboundary waters, accounting for 70% of its supply, poses another significant challenge as these resources continue to dwindle. We are currently facing a major problem. Not only transboundary waters but other water resources are also grappling with issues of depletion, salinization, and pollution. Therefore, it is imperative to regulate not only economic aspects but also water resources and water quality,” Misra added.