Ulaanbaatar, June 16 – MCA-Mongolia successfully organized the “Let’s Talk Water-3” media engagement on June 16 to discuss water-related issues with journalists at the construction site of the Advanced Water Purification Plant (AWPP) being built under the MCC-Mongolia Water Compact, funded jointly by the governments of Mongolia and the United States.
More than 20 representatives of over 10 media organizations participated and learned about the goals of the Compact program, as well as the construction progress of the AWPP.
MCA-Mongolia Chief Executive Officer E. Enkhgerel expressed gratitude to the media representatives for the site visit and noted that the Compact would ensure a safe and long-term sustainable supply of water for Ulaanbaatar, one of the most critical and pressing issues for the city.
“Water is at the core of not only human health but also socio-economic development and a country's national security and existence. The projects under the Compact were developed based on a diagnostic study of the most binding constraints to economic growth in Mongolia and well aligned with Ulaanbaatar City Master Plan 2030. With successful implementation, it would stem the impact of the impending water shortages in Ulaanbaatar and sustain its growing population and future economic growth by ensuring a safe and sustainable water supply” she highlighted.
MCC Resident Country Director Tina Yu emphasized in her opening remarks that “We are committed to ensuring this compact is a success while MCC funding is only available for five years. It creates a pathway for the government to build on these investments and put Ulaanbaatar on a better footing to sustain its future private sector-led growth.”
MCA-Mongolia CEO E.Enkhgerel also provided comprehensive information on the project, and key project leaders answered questions regarding each aspect of the Compact and how challenges are being solved, followed by an open conversation with journalists on water-related issues.
After the meeting, participants toured the construction site with Mr. Serdar Hekimoglu, Project Manager of MAPA Inshaat, the contractor for the AWPP construction.
The AWPP is one of the two large plants to be constructed under the MCC-Mongolia Water Compact, and will treat the water extracted from the new western groundwater wellfields to the drinking water standards of Mongolia. The treated water will then be delivered to the central water supply network of the capital city.
The current progress of the AWPP construction is at more than 30% and is expected to proceed as planned with testing and calibration scheduled in June 2024.
Once completed, the Downstream Wells Activity is planned to provide up to 50 million cubic meters of safe and high-quality drinking water annually to the central water supply network of UB, which will put the city on a better footing to sustain its growing population and future economic growth.
MCA-Mongolia is responsible for implementing the MCC-Mongolia Water Compact signed between the Government of Mongolia and the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation. The Compact is projected to be completed by March 31, 2026. The Bulk Water Supply Project under the Compact comprises three closely related activities, including Downstream Wells, Wastewater Recycling, and Water Sector Sustainability. The Compact is funding major infrastructure projects, including the construction of new wellfields and two large plants - an Advanced Water Purification Plant and Wastewater Recycling Plant, which will be the first of their kind in Mongolia. In addition, the Compact will invest in policy measures to create a financially and environmentally sustainable future for the water sector of Ulaanbaatar.
Once the project completed, the water system in Ulaanbaatar will have been expanded to deliver 80% more drinking water, which will ensure a safe and sustainable water supply for more than 656,124 households or approximately 2’427’657 residents (projected number of residents of UB after 30 years) as well as businesses in the capital city. It will also support the development of sub-cities and new settlement areas in the western region, as outlined in the 'Vision-2050' long-term development policy and New Revival Policy of the Government of Mongolia, and will create a favorable environment for decentralization.
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About the MCC-Mongolia Water Compact
This $462 million project is a partnership between the American and Mongolian people made possible by $350m in MCC grant funding and the $111.76m contribution from the Government of Mongolia which demonstrates their commitment to working together to achieve economic growth and poverty reduction in Ulaanbaatar. The Mongolia Water Compact is funding major infrastructure projects, including the construction of new wellfields and two large plants - an Advanced Water Purification Plant and Water Recycling Plant which will be the first of their kind in Mongolia. In addition, the Compact will invest in policy measures to create a financially and environmentally sustainable future for the water sector of Ulaanbaatar. As a result, the water system in Ulaanbaatar will have been expanded to deliver 80% more drinking water, allowing for the city’s future expansion.
