Hundreds benefit from major water rehabilitation project in Signagi

Hundreds of people living in a bustling village in Georgia’s Kakheti winemaking region are welcoming a 1.3 million GEL project to increase the water supply from two hours per day to constant, 24-hour access.

Currently about 600 families in Signagi – about half of the town’s population – have access to water for two hours per day while 300 families are supplied with water for eight hours per day.

A new project to rehabilitate the water supply system for Signagi residents has been supported by the European Investment Bank, who invested 1,342,388 GEL in the project. Once complete the town’s 900 residents will have 24-hour access to clean, drinking water.

The water supply rehabilitation project is being implemented by the Municipal Development Fund (MDF) at the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure together with the United Water Supply Company. Rehabilitation works are due to be completed in spring 2016.

The first stage of the project, currently underway, envisages rehabilitation of the existing damaged water network. The first stage also included the establishment of three new wells and construction of a water reservoir. In addition, water meters will be installed in every household in Signagi.

When complete, the quality of water in Signagi will be improved and water loss will be reduced, said Georgia’s Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure.

The Ministry’s First Deputy Minister Ilia Darchiashvili, MDF executive director Juansher Burchuladze and director of United Water Supply Company Nikoloz Kizikurashvili visited the site yesterday, inspected the ongoing construction and spoke to contactors.