Baku: The Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency has announced plans to submit a list of buildings located in water protection zones to the Cabinet of Ministers, with mandatory relocations on the horizon. Zaur Mikayilov, Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, emphasized the importance of enhancing the safety and functionality of these protection zones during a meeting focused on the State Program for the Improvement of Water Supply, Wastewater, and Stormwater Systems in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula for the years 2026-2035.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Mikayilov highlighted that buildings constructed in these zones significantly impact both the water management systems and the safety of the structures themselves. An inventory of the protection zones is necessary, and collaboration with relevant authorities will ensure these zones operate according to legal standards. The list of buildings will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers, prompting mandatory relocations in areas where access to main channels is restricted. New regulations have been implemented following a recent order aimed at preventing illegal activities in water management facilities.
The state program also includes protective measures against various forms of pollution for water management facilities. Mikayilov stated that these efforts, which are primarily investment-focused, will enhance the agency’s operations and aim to meet European standards within a decade. The measures are expected to improve daily operations and expand the agency’s capabilities over the next ten years.