2007.8.8
Azerbaijan chapter initiates water supply project

Inauguration ceremony of OISCA Azerbaijan’s Project, “Improvement of Water Supply in Boshchallar Village in Imishli Region” was held on June 23, 2007 with attendance of officials from the Executive Powers of Imishli, Embassy of Japan, External Consultants of the Japanese Embassy, the villagers and the OISCA project members.

The project was initiated by OISCA Azerbaijan headed by Mr. Elchin Nasirov, upon request from the Executive Powers of Imishli to solve the serious shortage of drinking water in the region. Root cause of the problem was the loss of forest trees which resulted in damaging the fertile layer and advances of salification. As a result, the region has lost shallow water layers of soil that used to hold the source of drinkable water in the Aran zone. Construction of multiple water electric power plants and consumption of river water to supply water for agricultural sites in remote regions have also caused the shortage of water. But perhaps the biggest cause of the problem was the merciless use of soil during the communist era that totally damaged the ecological balance of the soil.

Shortages of water have not only restricted villager’s economic and agricultural activities, but also threatened the lives and health of the people. Residents of Boshchallar settlement were forced to carry water from remote places. Alternatively, they would have to use the polluted Araz River, or dig water from shallow soil which often caused serious health problems, or buy water from the water cars.

Now, thanks to the project initiated by OISCA Azerbaijan with the support of the Japanese government, about 3,000 people will be provided with adequate drinking water from the artisan well that went as deep as 120 meters below surface and the 15 meter high water towers constructed near school and mosque buildings connected by 6,152 meters long water pipe-lines with 27 water-taps on the streets.

At the end of the ceremony, tea and music were provided by the OISCA to entertain the attendants.

　　　　　
　　　　 　 All streets of Boshchallar have been
　　　　　　provided with water taps.