Baku: On January 12, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev presided over a meeting focused on the State Program for the improvement of water supply, wastewater, and stormwater systems in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula for 2026-2035.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the head of state delivered a comprehensive speech, elaborating on the program’s objectives and the strategic importance of addressing water-related challenges in the region.
President Aliyev emphasized that the program aims to tackle the longstanding issues of water supply and wastewater management in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, which are crucial components of Azerbaijan’s broader infrastructure development efforts. The program, set to be implemented by 2035, seeks to provide sustainable drinking water to the region, covering Baku, its settlements, Sumgayit, and the Absheron district. Financial backing for the program has been identified from the state budget and foreign loans, reflecting Azerbaijan’s improved foreign debt-to-GDP ratio of just over 6 percent.
The president outlined several key projects within the program, including the construction of approximately 30 new reservoirs and the installation of meters to achieve 100 percent coverage. Currently, only 70 percent of the population enjoys uninterrupted drinking water, but this is expected to increase to 95 percent post-implementation. Significant enhancements are planned for the water supply infrastructure, with over 200 kilometers of main canals and distribution networks to be built and reconstructed.
President Aliyev also addressed the issue of water loss, highlighting that current losses account for around 40-45 percent. The program aims to significantly reduce these losses while expanding access to sewage services from the current 50 percent to 95 percent. Furthermore, a new collector network will be developed on 30 streets in Baku to manage rainwater, aiming to alleviate the frequent flooding problems experienced during heavy rains.
In terms of environmental impact, the program mandates that water discharged into the Caspian Sea must be fully purified, with plans to modernize and expand the Hovsan water treatment plant. A digital management system for the water sector is also on the agenda, alongside the construction of Azerbaijan’s first desalination plant to improve the water supply of the Absheron Peninsula.
The president acknowledged the importance of public oversight and media coverage throughout the program’s implementation to ensure transparency and accountability. The program, designed to be comprehensive and detailed, will be monitored by both the Government and the Presidential Administration, with an emphasis on avoiding delays to meet the 2035 target.
Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency (ADSEA) Zaur Mikayilov provided further insights into the progress achieved so far and the upcoming measures under the program, continuing the discussions initiated by President Aliyev.