Azerbaijani water company starts reconstruction of Shusha's drinking water supply

As the Azerbaijani president instructed, Azersu OJSC is implementing a new project to ensure a sustainable drinking water supply to Shusha, Report says, referring to the OJSC.

After the liberation of Shusha, urgent measures were taken to supply the city and vital facilities with water. This was followed by a major overhaul of drinking water supply systems.

The Coordination Headquarters for the settlement of issues in the liberated territories reports that the first phase of the project envisages the construction of a main water pipeline and reservoirs, as well as the reconstruction of part of the city network to provide Shusha with sustainable and quality drinking water. At present, work is underway to replace 5.3 km of the Kicik Kirs-Shusha main water pipeline, built in the 1980s, with steel pipes. According to the project, which was launched in August, 50% of the planned work on the main pipeline has been completed in a short time. First of all, the part of the pipeline passing through the Victory Road and the power substation was built. At present, the construction of the main line is carried out in difficult terrain and areas, where it is difficult for vehicles to move, and in two segments of the water pipeline.

In the first phase of the project for the sustainable water supply of Shusha, two reservoirs with a capacity of 500 cubic meters each will be built in the city, and a 6-km-long section of the city network will be reconstructed. The work on this stage is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

In the next phase of the project, in accordance with the Master Plan, the city's drinking and wastewater networks will be completely reconstructed, and a wastewater treatment plant will be built for optimal management and treatment and disposal of wastewater.

In the future, taking into account the settlement of the population in Shusha and the prospects for the development of tourism, the use of the Zarisli River as an alternative water source is weighed. In this regard, Azersu's Sukanal Scientific Research and Design Institute has launched research and design work. According to preliminary estimates, a water intake facility and a reservoir will be built along the Zarisli River, and water will be pumped to Shusha through a pumping station.

After the liberation of Shusha, drinking water was supplied to the city from the Kicik Kirs water source on November 25 and from the Zarisli water source on December 20, 2020. In parallel with them, the city network has been regulated, and since November 2020, a continuous service has been organized in the city.