CLEAN WATER PROGRAM GIVES KAZAKHSTANIS TASTE OF DEMOCRACY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASTANA 000146

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES/PCI (SALZBERG); EPA FOR OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (B. FREEMAN)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV EAID KZ
SUBJECT: CLEAN WATER PROGRAM GIVES KAZAKHSTANIS TASTE OF DEMOCRACY



1. Summary: On September 21, ESTH officer observed local water
committee elections in the village of Bayanday (population 870),
the seventh village to participate in the Clean Water Financing
Program for Kazakhstan. The program, funded in part by the
EPA, provides clean drinking water to small isolated villages
suffering from high rates of water borne diseases. Water
systems have been completed in six villages, at an average
construction cost of $50,000. As a result, over 8,000
Kazakhstanis have gained access to safe drinking water. The
villagers have also gained valuable exposure to the democratic
process, as the program mandates that each village must elect a
water committee to oversee the water system. The cessation of
EPA funding, however, leaves the future of the program is in
doubt. End summary.

Sustainability Through Ownership


2. Clean water remains a scarce commodity in Kazakhstan's
villages. Half of the 840 villages in the Almaty region do not
have access to safe drinking water. The Clean Water Financing
Program, designed and implemented by the Global Environment
Technology Foundation (GETF) and the International Center for
Environment Finance (ICEF),with funding from the EPA, aims to
provide clean drinking water to isolated villages suffering from
high rates of water-borne diseases.


3. In order to ensure sustainability, the program requires that
each participant village pay ten percent of the costs needed to
construct a new, or rehabilitate an old, water system. In the
six completed projects, costs for villages have ranged from
$3707 to $5769, or roughly three to four dollars per villager.
The villages are also fully responsible for the system's
operation, maintenance, and reserve fund. According to Diyas
Jubandykov, GETF Country Director, the average monthly tariff
paid by each villager is approximately 25-50 cents.


4. To further create a sense of ownership, each village is
required to elect a water committee to democratically manage and
operate its water system. Working through the water committee,
villagers agree upon the numbers of hours each day the system
delivers water, which, in turn, determines the monthly tariff
rate. Once elected by the villagers, the water committee
chooses a director and elects members of the audit, management,
and operations committee.


5. Thus far, six villages, with a combined population of over
8,000, have received access to clean water through the Clean
Water Financing Program. The EPA has funded each project,
spending between $25,000 and $40,000. No further EPA funding
exists. The Philip Morris Corp. paid for the project in
Bayanday, which is scheduled to be finished in November 2006.
Norway is supporting one project in the village of Ghalgyzagash,
also scheduled to be completed in November 2006.


6. The GOK has expressed interest in the Clean Water Financing
Program. Anatoly Ryabtsev, Chairman of Kazakhstan's Committee
on Water Resources, has publicly stated that Kazakhstan should
consider adopting similar methodology when providing clean water
to small villages. As of now, however, Kazakhstan has yet to
implement any programs mirroring those of the Clean Water
Financing Program.


7. Therefore, according to Jubandykov, one ultimate goal of the
ICEF is to demonstrate that its program is a more effective
means of creating sustainable clean drinking water systems than
existing GOK programs. Jubandykov said that ICEF would first
like to strengthen the sustainability of its program by
establishing a financial cooperative, which would serve as
central bank holding the reserve funds from all participant
villages. Each village would be able to borrow funds from the
pooled fund to defray the cost of future repairs and
improvements. Jubandykov believes that a successful financial
cooperative would require the participation of 10-15 villages.

Democracy Comes to Kazakhstan


8. On September 21, ESTH officer traveled to the village of
Bayanday, 30 miles outside of Almaty, to watch the village's
water council hold committee elections. Council members, who
were elected by the entire village, met to elect a director and
representatives for the council's audit, management and
operation committees.


9. The elections were held at Bayanday's small two room school
house, decorated with balloons and streamers for the event.
After opening remarks by the county's deputy governor, council
members gathered in line and entered the designated voting area,

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one at a time. Most voters entered solemnly, but left with
smiles on their faces. The votes were quickly tabulated and the
council gathered again in the schoolhouse to hear the results.
While the director was elected unanimously, competition was
tight for the other positions. With positions now established,
the council will meet at least every once every three months to
discuss the water needs of their village constituents.


10. Comment: At a low cost, the Clean Water Financing Program
for Kazakhstan has provided clean drinking water to over 8,000
Kazakhstanis, influenced GOK thinking on water issues, and
enabled seven villages to hold true democratic elections. With
word of mouth spreading about the program, enthusiasm has
gradually replaced skepticism among Kazakhstanis. Several
villages have approached GETF Country Director Jubandykov, money
for construction costs in hand, ready to begin the program.
Unless additional donors are identified, however, the Clean
Water Financing Program is unlikely to have the funds to create
water systems in additional villages. End comment
MILAS