[Ulaanbaatar, July 7, 2020] – U.S Ambassador Michael Klecheski visited a smart water kiosk in the 13th khoroo, Chingeltei District and got acquainted with its operation during his informal tour of ger districts in Ulaanbaatar on July 7, 2020. The kiosk is one of the 142 smart kiosks in Ulaanbaatar which have been converted from manually operated pipe-fed kiosks to “smart” ones since 2015.

Mr. Ts.Turkhuu, head of the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (USUG), welcomed the Ambassador at the smart water kiosk and thanked him for his willingness to see the smart kiosk operation, an important part of USUG works. “By converting the manual kiosks into smart ones, water service accessibility has improved immensely. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the U.S people for the investment under the Mongolia Water Compact to increase the number of smart kiosks in ger areas,” said Mr. Turkhuu to the Ambassador. 

During the visit, Ms. L.Unurjargal, director of Water Sector Sustainability Activity, MCA-Mongolia, provided a short brief on the ger area cost containment sub-activity planned under the Water Sector Sustainability Activity, one of the three main components of the Mongolia Water Compact. According to her, USUG is providing water service to the residents of the ger district area through 650 kiosks, of which 320 are pipe-fed and 330 are truck-fed. The cost of delivering one liter of water to the residents is eight to nine MNT while the selling price of one liter of water is only one MNT. As a result, USUG incurs a significant loss each year. Ms.Unurjargal added, “The MCA-Mongolia will convert approximately 100 manually operated pipe-fed kiosks into smart kiosks under the Water Sector Sustainability Activity to reduce the water service cost and improve access to water in ger areas.” 

 

Ambassador Klecheski thanked the representatives of USUG and MCA-Mongolia for the provided opportunity to learn about the smart kiosk operation and current water service situation.

Customers who came to take water during the field trip expressed their appreciation for smart kiosks, enjoying its convenience and 24 hours’ availability.

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Millennium Challenge Account - Mongolia is a state-owned enterprise established by the decision of the Government of Mongolia on October 3, 2018, pursuant to Government Resolution No 297 in accordance with Section 3.2 of the Compact to implement the Program under the 350 million USD Mongolia Water Compact signed with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. government foreign aid agency. 

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth.  Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to poor countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights.  Learn more about MCC at www.mcc.gov.