Bukhara and Samarkand Water Supply Project, Uzbekistan

Together with the water supply utility of Zurich EBP has been mandated in 2004 as Technical Auditor of the Bukhara and Samarkand Water Supply Project in. The project aims at the sustainable improvement of the drinking water supply in Bukhara and Samarkand by means of important infrastructure rehabilitation measures.

In contrast to similar projects, the two water supply companies have not been privatized. The rehabilitation and operation of the infrastructure was entrusted to an international operator, who implemented the first phase of the project based on a performance based service contract in collaboration with the utilities. As an integral part of this concept two independent auditors supervise the project’s financial and technical performance and determine the performance-related part of the operator’s remuneration. As technical auditor EBP is assessing the operator's and the utilities' technical performance based on a set of performance indicators. In addition, EBP supports the project with technical and institutional expertise.

500’000 people living in Bukhara and Samarkand profit from the various measures, especially from the safe treatment and disinfection of drinking water, the improved reliability of the water supply and from the institutional strengthening of the utilities.