Water supply

In the area of junction of Varzob and Kafirnigan rivers, there is a zone of high quality underground water. At the same time, both Varzob and Kafirnigan rivers are the sources of drinking water supply in Dushanbe. Their upper streams start from eternal snows and glaciers, carrying very clean water downstream. Near the city, the quality of surface water is slightly deteriorated, however it remains very good for drinking and other purposes.

Because of emergencies, mudflows, inadequate capacity of water supply and sewerage systems and lack of up-to-date water cleaning equipment, the deficiency of fresh water in Dushanbe takes place rather frequently. Water deficiency in summer period adversely affects green plantations in Dushanbe and many trees, grass-plots and other green areas are withered.

Water supply of the city is based on the four main pumping stations, which constitute pumped and gravity flow water pipe. Water, which is being taking away from Varzob River 10 km north to Dushanbe, runs through the canal and flows into the daily water regulation basin. After settling phase, water goes into the central water supply system.

The above-mentioned gravity flow water pipe, because of technical decay cannot ensure proper water quality standards. According to the technology, river water has to be settled, handled and cleaned using sand, shingle and coagulants. However, during flood seasons and mudflow phenomena, there are lot of suspended particles in the tap water and high turbidity. On the Southwest and the Kafirnigan pumping stations, water is being collected from underground water zone.

Source : Dushanbevodocanal

Liquid chlorine is used to disinfect surface water. In 1998, a series of reconstruction works and regular water quality observations were implemented at the Dushanbe's daily water regulation basin. Underground water is very clean and does not require any disinfection.

Notwithstanding efforts of city administration and international organizations, water in Dushanbe is still not safe. Particularly, there is a risk of diarrhea and other diseases. The cause is insufficient capacity of water supply and sewerage systems and lack of up-to-date water cleaning equipment. Surface water monitoring shows that quality of water is very good, with the exception of infrequent water pollution cases.

According to the data obtained from "Dushanbevodocanal", total water consumption in Dushanbe is 632 thousand m3/year, while recent technical capacity is only 483 thousand m3/year. Surface water pumping stations and other water supply facilities operate in excess of their technical capacities. The actual capacity of Dushanbe's gravity flow water pipes exceed planned capacity by 1,5 times and pumped water pipe by 3 times. In 1999, water consumption was 828 liters/day per capita. In view of economic decline, industrial water consumption is reduced twice in comparison with 1992.

Source : Dushanbevodocanal

The extent of water supply in Dushanbe is 1007,8 km, including water pipes - 173,7 km, water-main - 282,1 km, distributing pipes - 220 km, within house pipes - 332 km. Presently, existing water-supply network became worthless. Its substantial deterioration is mainly consequence of low water temperature and high contents of dissolved oxygen, which cause conduit corrosion. More then 25% of water supply networks need to be reconstructed or replaced. In addition, new equipment, pumps, coagulants and other materials need to be supplied.

It should be mentioned that on the one hand water pollution and water deficiency is the consequence of economic decline (damage or absence of equipment, etc.), on another hand - negligence of some industries to rational water use and protection.

In many cases, industries use water resources for different technical purposes without special permissions. Several industries have no any cleaning systems and polluted water is discharged into urban sewerage, thereby affecting water sources. The population use water recourses irrationally as well.

In Dushanbe, the basic infringers of water and environmental legislation are motorcar repair services, filling stations, "Tajikcement", "Tajikhydroagregat", brick plant, Dushanbe's wastewater purification facilities, private construction firms, etc.

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