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Public Assessment of Drinking Water Sources in Ashgabat

Region: Central Asia, Turkmenistan
Author: Public Laboratory on Water and Land Use Problems
Consortium Member: Isar Central Asia
Status: Funded and Ongoing Budget: $2904 Collected: $2904 Needs: $0
Result: A water resource assessment of the Karanku-Gyunduvarski Reservoir will examine changes in water levels related to recent rapid development of hotels in Ashgabat (the capital of Turkmenistan). Scientists and social activists in this Turkmen NGO will prepare a report, conduct a public information campaign, and work with local and national governmental agencies to develop a realistic plan for sustainable drinking water use.
Donors: ISAR Central Asia [May 1998]
Comment: This project could be a model for NGOs and policy makers in many other arid world regions which are also experiencing population and economic growth, and depletion of fresh water supplies.

Need:
FORMATION is a Turkmen NGO made up of scientists and social activists from various disciplines who are interested in developing and implementing creative solutions to environmental problems facing Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The primary aim of our group is to provide governmental and international agencies with reliable information on the state of the Turkmen environment. Particular reference is given to the reservoirs, unique ecosystems and canals of the region, which are experiencing considerable degradation, much as the result of land and water use policies implemented during the Soviet era.

Goals:
Due to the rapid development of hotel complexes in Ashgabat (the capitol of Turkmenistan) to accomodate potential foreign investors, local residents of Ashgabat have experienced an extreme deficit of potable waters. Water from Ashgabat's main source of potable water, the Karanku-Gyunduvarski underground reservoir, has been re-routed to the new hotels, which contain an inordinate amount of gardens and fountains. Local residents must use water from the canals that run through Ashgabat. The canal water runs from the Amu Darya River, which is highly contaminated by fertilizers and industrial waste.

1. We plan to conduct a water resource assessment of the Karanku-Gyunduvarski Reservoir, with reference to changes in water levels over the past ten years.
2. We will then produce a report examining water use policies in Ashgabat with recomendations on how to develop more rational and sustainable policies in the future.

1. Assess the present water levels of the underground reservoir through a vertical electronic probe.
2. Develop a data base on changes in the reservoir's water level, with reference to urban development in Ashgabat.
3. Prepare report for Turkmen government and international donor agencies.
4. Public information campaign through bulletins and the mass media, lobbying for changes in water use policies.
5. In cooperation with local and national government agencies, develop a long term system for regulating rational use of the potable water supply in Ashgabat.

1. Evaluation of potable water crisis in Ashgabat.
2. Lobbying of government agencies to address the lack of potable water for local residents of Ashgabat.

Budget: