Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, September 29, 2020 – Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Smart Waters program, implemented by the Central Asia Regional Environmental Center (CAREC), handed over fourteen units of automated water flow measuring equipment to the State Committee on Water Management. This equipment will be installed at fourteen locations along the Murghab river in the eastern Mary province of Turkmenistan.

The automated water measurement system, will allow “Marysuwhojalyk” and the State Water Committee of Turkmenistan to record  real-time data on water flow levels at different points, monitor irrigation flow, and serve a critical role in providing early warnings to protect local communities against floods. The river flow data will help decision makers in Ashgabat and Mary to forecast water levels and to plan water resource management accordingly.

“Implementation of such technologies and our joint efforts, especially the participation of people from local communities in water management solutions will increase transparency, improve relationships between upstream and down-stream etraps, and have a positive environmental and economic impact,” said Charge d’Affaires (CDA) Valerie Chittenden. CDA Chittenden also praised the Government of Turkmenistan’s efforts in implementing the 2019-2025 State Water Sector Development Program that facilitates the water sector’s gradual switch to accounting for water consumption through innovative digital technologies such as this one. 

USAID’s Smart Waters program is designed to help the countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan deepen their technical skills in water management, facilitate community dialogue on transboundary issues, and build a cadre of professionals capable of managing shared water resources. 

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USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. For more information visit: https://www.usaid.gov/central-asia-regional.