Surge in drinking water prices triggers complaints

ZARANJ (Pajhwok): Residents of northwestern Nimroz province complain of an unprecedented surge in drinking water prices, but the municipality claims controlling the rates by issuing a price list.

Benafsha Barakzai, a teacher, told Pajhwok Afghan News a 20-litre jerry can of drinking water cost 15-20 afghanis.

She recalled the same quantity of drinking water could be purchased for nine afghanis last week.

Massoud Bahrami, a resident of Zaranj, said: “Despite the presence of Helmand river, Kamal Khan dam and seasonal rains in the province, people are still affected by drought.”

Bahrami added due to a sharp increase in the price of drinking water, most of city inhabitants could not afford to purchase potable water.

He linked the soaring price of drinking water to the lack of water management and a proper supply mechanism.

He asked the government to manage water properly and address the problem of water shortages in the province.

Shahabuddin Taimur, director of water department, told Pajhwok the municipality and water supply department were working together to address the problem as soon as possible.

The water supply department has set at 25 afghanis the price of per cubic metre of water distributed to houses through pipes.

He believed falling water levels in wells in Qala-i-Fateh and a surge in water consumption in the summer could lead to a price hike.

Sardar Habibullah Kakar, the municipality executive, confirmed: “The water plant owner had willfully increased the price. But the municipality managed issuing a price list.”

He added the municipality had prepared the price list in coordination with private companies, which obtained 1,000 litres of water in return for 3,000 litres of impure water.

Water plants were obliged to sell 500 litres of water for 175 afghanis, the official said, adding that quantity of water used to be sold for 250 afghanis.

Kakar said water distributers must purchase a 20-litre jerry can for seven afghanis and sell it for 12 afghanis.

Khaliq Dad Tajik, owner of a plant named Kawsar, identified drawing groundwater with power pumps and rising in fuel prices as the main reasons behind the hike.

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