Works financed by EBRD, Switzerland, EU and GEF
The new wastewater treatment facility in Bishkek is able to process 50,000 m³ of water a day
Major upgrades to water supply and water treatment infrastructure have been completed in the cities of Bishkek and Kant with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the government of Switzerland, the European Union (EU) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The project in Bishkek was funded by a financial package of up to €28 million, consisting of an EBRD loan of up to €13.5 million, a grant of up to €13.3 million from Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and a grant of up to €1.15 million from the GEF’s Special Climate Change Fund.
The funds were used to install 16 km of sewage collectors and 2.6 km of water mains, build 35 deep water wells, acquire specialist maintenance equipment, and renovate water and wastewater laboratories.
As result, the municipal water treatment utility is now able to process 50,000 m³ of water a day. It has also reduced water losses and can provide uninterrupted water supply and treatment services to the city’s fast-growing population.
The project in Kant was funded by a financial package of up to €5.12, consisting of an EBRD loan of up to €1.5 million, and a €3.62 million grant from SECO. Key investments included replacing over 26 km of water mains and nearly 379 km of distribution networks and installing more than 6,800 water meters. Water supply was improved by rehabilitating wells, building a new well and upgrading pumping and disinfection systems.
On the wastewater side, the project delivered a new sewage pumping station and improvements to treatment plant aeration systems. Operational capacity was also enhanced through new equipment, vehicles and upgraded facilities. These investments have improved service reliability, reduced losses and strengthened overall system performance.
The government of Switzerland supports the development of the Kyrgyz Republic. Since 1994, the country has granted more than CHF 560 million to the Kyrgyz Republic through technical, financial and humanitarian support.
To date, the EBRD has invested more than €196 million in 32 water supply and wastewater treatment projects across 28 municipalities. The investments comprise €87 million in loans and €109 million in capital investment grants, including €33 million provided by SECO and €46 million by the EU.