Ulaanbaatar, December 24, 2024 - Public Awareness and Behavior Change Sub-activity under Water Sector Sustainability Activity includes the sub-activity, the Consulting Services for Developing a Long-Term Plan and Recommendations to Eliminate Rust in Ulaanbaatar’s Consumer Water Supply.  The selected consultant - Institute of Geography and Geo-Ecology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences has organized the kick-off meeting today. 

Opening the kick-off meeting, Mrs. Unurjargal.L, Director of the Water Sector Sustainability Activity of MCA-Mongolia, emphasized that the feasibility and effectiveness of the strategic plan for eliminating rust developed by the consultant depend not only on the efforts of the consultancy work, but also on close collaboration of water sector representatives. In addition, L. Altangerel, Head of the Department of Urban Engineering Infrastructure of the Ulaanbaatar Mayor’s Office, in his opening speech, provided the summary of previously completed effords to eliminate rust and expressed that the Mayor Office will provide the required support. 

The purpose of this consulting service is to conduct a comprehensive baseline study on the causes, incidence, scope, and impact of rust in drinking water encountered by water utilities in Ulaanbaatar City, and to develop a strategic plan to reduce rust and improve water quality based on the recommendations from the study, and to submit it to the Municipality of Ulaanbaatar, and public utilities’ related authorities. 

The meeting was attended by more than 60 experts and representatives from 12 organizations, including the Water Services Regulatory Commission of Mongolia, Municipality of Ulaanbaatar, the Office of the Mayor of Ulaanbaatar, Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (USUG) of Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolian Association of Public utilities services, the Housing and Public Utility Services Administration (OSNAA), the “Private OSNAA-Development Center” NGO and its affiliated offices, the “Private OSNAA-Professional Association” NGO and its affiliated offices, and the private Homeowners’ Associations.

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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 a 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. By 2026, the water system in Ulaanbaatar will have been expanded to deliver 80% more drinking water, allowing for the city’s future expansion.