TASHKENT -- Uzbekistani citizens are now required to pay their water bills in advance or risk being cut off from water and sanitation services, reported AKIpress Tuesday (January 2).
Beginning on Monday (January 1), any money owed will be deducted from users' bank accounts or garnisheed from wages, according to a decree adopted last November.
Systemic problems in Uzbekistan's water and sanitation system and widespread failure to pay water bills have caused the sector to stagnate, according to the decree.
The country's water and sewerage facilities, about 40 years old on average, are in disrepair. As much as 40% of water is lost before reaching consumers.
