Thirst: A village drinking water on credit

In some regions of Uzbekistan, people borrow water from each other, walk one, two, even tens of kilometers to fetch drinking water, quarrel over access, queue all day, and those who cannot afford to transport water are forced to drink salt water. It may sound unbelievable, but the residents of Nayman village in Gallaorol district of the Jizzakh region have been living under such conditions for many years.

QALAMPIR.UZ listened to the voices of the people of Nayman, who have endured this hardship while remaining true to their traditions. Residents say they travel 6–7 kilometers to neighboring villages every two or three days to collect water. Those unable to carry it buy water by the bucket.

"It's far—23 kilometers from Tozaurug village. Those with equipment go there. It’s 7 kilometers to Moltob, 4.5 to Uzumzor, and 1.5 to 2 kilometers to Khanaqoh. Those who can drink it, do. Those who can’t afford it are drinking salt water. This has been going on for several years. If we borrow a kettle, we borrow water too. In this village, water is borrowed," said village elder Akmas Usanov.

“I’m currently going 7–8 kilometers to Mullabulak. Fortunately, my brother has a car. We loaded up the containers, went there, and brought back water. Then I unload them here, put them on a cart, and transport them home. They said there will be no water in the tap for three days. There is water in Mullabulak, but not much. And there are many people in the vineyards—carrying buckets. I left at 7:10 in the morning. Now it’s 10 o’clock. If we leave in the morning, we’re walking until noon. It’s tough, but we need water,” said Mamarajab Ota, who hauls water by donkey cart.

Residents use wells and salt water for washing. Almost all water used for daily life is saline. Clean water is stored only for drinking and cooking—if available. As a result, salt water is sometimes consumed, despite the health risks it poses, such as kidney stones.

“It causes disease. I’ve already had surgery, and I still have to drink this water,” said Sayyora, a woman in her 60s.

This situation is particularly harsh for the elderly, whose sons and husbands have migrated abroad, and for women caring for young children.

“There are one or two utility trikes in the village. When pensioners receive their monthly payments, they give some to the drivers to bring them water. They can’t drink salt water. It worsens their health,” said farmer Yakub, reflecting the long-standing concern of the villagers.

Other communities nearby try to help, but water is not free, and tensions arise. Jamshid Elmurodov, who regularly delivers water to the elderly in Nayman, knows this well.

“Sometimes, in Bolgaly village, people complain. The folks in Moltob are more understanding. If one of the women doesn’t complain, the rest usually don’t either. I understand the women in Bolgaly too. They get water for just two hours a day—morning and evening. They have to collect all they need in that short time,” he said.

According to Uzbekistan’s state development program until 2030, it is planned to build or renovate 1,800 kilometers of drinking water and sewage networks, and 77 water and sewage facilities. But is Nayman on the list of areas to be supplied? Unfortunately, no. Officials say there are villages with even greater need in Gallaorol.

“When we visited Nayman and studied the situation, it was clear that the village truly has no access to drinking water. The population is transporting it themselves. The village has six streets and 1,600 households. We are submitting proposals regarding water supply. But we have even more difficult areas to cover,” said Sherzod Abdusalomov, chief engineer of the Gallaorol district branch of “Uzsuvta'minot.”

Yet no action has been taken for 34 years. For over three decades, villagers have carried water from distant places. Isn’t that enough time to solve the problem?

“For 34 years... our organization has been receiving requests—this year, last year, and before. Applications have increased due to the salinization of groundwater. Based on those, we are making proposals and trying to pump water,” Abdusalomov added.

The head of “Uzsuvta'minot” made no specific promise regarding when the residents of Nayman will finally get access to drinking water, only saying steps would be taken. When asked, “When will water come to this village? In which year?” Abdusalomov replied:

“We’ll submit a proposal. If it’s approved, then after the necessary measures are evaluated, it will be included in a three-year plan and implemented accordingly.”

However, most residents have little hope. They see a state program as the only viable solution—if it is ever implemented.

According to the village elder, the issue has been raised with the district mayor several times. But at meetings, there have only been vague reassurances: “It will happen, it will happen.” No one visited. No one followed up.

Jaloliddin Okboyev has served as the head of the district since 2018—five years in office. In that time, he could have addressed the most urgent village issues, especially water. But why have these villages continued to suffer?

“People will go on living. Just look at how many items are included in the state program, and yet they’re doing something else. That’s what we hear. Otherwise, people will keep living. They lived before. It’s just hard. Yes, it’s just very hard,” said Mamarajab Ota.