New Water Supply Scheme in Grigore’vka: Over 6 000 Residents Now Have Access To Safe Drinking Water

Inauguration of new water supply systems in Grigor’evka Village, Issyk-Kul Region took place on June4, 2025 constructed as part of the Sustainable Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Development Project.

The subproject covers a wide range of infrastructural and technical activities resulting in permanent access to safe potable water for 6 012 people in the village residing in 1 716 households.

Inauguration was attended by

• Mr. Bakyt Torobayev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry;
• Mr. Bakytbek Jetigenov, Authorized Representative of the President in Issyk-Kul Region;
• Ms. Beatrice Maser, Executive Director, World Bank;
• Mr. Hugh Riddell, World Bank Country Manager;
• Mr. Andreas Muller, Deputy Head of Mission, Swiss Embassy;
• Mr. Mars Naspekov, Executive Director, ARIS.
• Community members and other honored guests.

In his speech the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers underlined the significance of the Project for improvement of rural livelihood and sustainable development. “Inauguration of the new scheme is not just completion of works but beginning new age of life for more than six thousand villagers enabling them to use safe drinking water every day”, noted Mr. Torobayev.

He also extended gratitude to the World Bank for cooperation and support to the Project highlighting the importance of further interaction for infrastructure development.

In return, the World Bank Executive Director expressed appreciation for opportunity to attend the inauguration ceremony: “I am honored to be with you today to celebrate the new water supply scheme in your village”. She emphasized that as a result of the Project over 164 000 people in 71 villages had access to improved water supply infrastructure and 6 000 residents in Grigor’evka benefitted from the project outcomes.

Concerted efforts by ARIS team, partners, active engagement of local community and support from local authorities made it possible complete the subproject. In her appeal, Ms. Maser paid special attention to sustainability of the investment from household level to the municipal water enterprise. She specially noted on the contribution by the project team in rural infrastructure development.

Mr. Hugh Riddell, the World Bank Country Manager in Kyrgyzstan underlined that subproject in Grigor’evka was an example of large-scale transformations taking place in the Kyrgyz Republic. He noted that new scheme was an evidence of transformation influence of access to safe water and appreciated efforts put by the community, project team and public authorities; efficient utilization of IDA funding in Grigor’evka was an example of large successful initiatives coordinated by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Works implemented under the subproject

Component 1: Water supply infrastructure

• 2 new tube wells drilled to 200 meters depth;
• 2 pumps installed;
• 2 power transformers installed for electricity supply;
• 2 x 1 000 m³ reservoirs rehabilitated;
• Chlorination station constructed;
• Sanitary protection zones ringfenced and guard’s room on water intake;
• Over 40 km of pipelines constructed;
• 331 manholes and 1 128 water meters. Installed.

Component 2: Sanitation development

• Sanitation facilities rehabilitated by indoor finishing works, installation of handwashing sinks, water boilers and outdoor septic tank for discharge of effluents;
• Information and awareness-raising measures completed to promote Water, Sanitation & Hygiene methodology (WASH) for 1 307 students and 76 teachers;
• Incentives subgrants for sanitation improvements delivered to 4 households.

Participants visited households that had improved their sanitation conditions through the project support.

Component 3: Institutional strengthening

• Municipal water enterprise (MWE) established and provided with 19 types of operation and maintenance equipment;
• Training delivered for MWE personnel in management, sustainable operation and maintenance of water supply system.

The new water supply system in Grigor’evka was an important event in terms of sanitation and livelihoods improvement in the village.