14:58, 30 октября 2019, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Maria ORLOVA
Cold water and sewerage rates will be increased in Bishkek starting from November 15. The decision was made by the deputies of the Bishkek City Council at the last session.
As the Bishkek City Administration explained, this is a necessary measure, because the current rates do not cover the cost of utilities, Bishkekvodokanal is in an extremely difficult financial situation, and the networks are worn out.
«It operates 1,480 kilometers of water supply and 720 kilometers of sewerage networks. Their wear and tear is 80 percent. More than 25,000 breakdowns occur annually. 500 kilometers are in urgent need of rehabilitation,» said Bakytbek Dyushembiev, head of Bishkekvodokanal.
We cannot keep the water supply and sewerage systems at risk. New rates will ensure its full operation.
Bakytbek Dyushembiev
According to him, the company is currently working to reduce water losses. It has managed to reduce them by 6 million out of 26 million cubic meters, in particular through installation of meters for legal entities using water for commercial purposes: saunas, car washes and others. The enterprise plans to install water meters in the private sector and apartments. As of today, only 2 percent of residents have them.
As a result, the cold water rates for the population increased 1.5 times: from 5.38 to 8.1 soms per cubic meter, for sewerage — almost doubled.
Residents will pay 2.3 soms instead of 1.2 soms per cubic meter for sewage water. This applies to consumers with installed water meters.
The cost of water supply and sewerage services for consumers who do not have meters depends on the degree of improvement of houses, taking into account the discharge of water into the city sewerage system.
The cost of maintaining the domestic water supply and sewage networks will also change.
Instead of 0.57 soms per month per square meter, citizens will pay 0.85.
Thus, residents of one-room apartments with an area of 33 square meters will pay 9.24 soms more per month: 28.05 soms instead of 18.81.
Owners of two-room apartments with an area of 45 square meters will pay 38.25 soms instead of 25.65 (12.6 soms more).
Consumers living in three-room apartments with an area of 60 square meters will pay 51 soms instead of 34.2 (16.8 soms increase).