DUSHANBE, September 26, 2014, Asia-Plus – The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe says that U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Susan M. Elliott and Head of Ghalchagi Mahalla Committee Mr. Abdulhomid Sangov officially handed over a new drinking water system to the residents of Ghalchagi village in Chorsou, Vahdat District on September 25.

USAID representatives and residents of Ghalchagi village also participated in the ceremony.  The system will provide 353 residents with clean drinking water.  The water infrastructure project is part of the USAID Local Governance Project, which works in 10 districts and 20 jamoats to improve the quality of local governance and service delivery.

Ambassador Elliott stated, “Clean drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene support many of our development projects to reduce poverty. We work with local communities to provide long-term, cost-effective solutions that can reduce levels of poverty and disease.”

The USAID Local Governance Project built the 8,400 meter water pipeline, constructed the chlorination and water distribution facility and installed individual water spigots to bring water to the 37 households of Ghalchagi village.

The project also advised the Mahalla Committee on how to set up a service delivery system and how to choose a management model for the new water supply system in order to ensure continuous and reliable water supply to customers.  The management model encompasses the operation and maintenance of the water system, with attention to local legislation, tariff setting, fee collection and accounting.

The USAID Local Governance Project is one of many assistance projects supported by the American people through USAID.  Since 1992, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has provided more than $1 billion in programs that support Tajikistan’s security, democratic institutions, social sector, and economic growth.