Uzbekistan pilots UNICEF-backed digital water quality monitoring system in Karakalpakstan

In a collaborative effort with UNICEF, Uzbekistan has launched a pilot program in Karakalpakstan, introducing a digital Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS). This initiative seeks to centralize water quality data and enhance the monitoring of drinking water provisions. The WQMIS is a digital platform designed for the consolidated collection, storage, processing, analysis, and presentation of water quality information. Its purpose is to expedite water quality monitoring and furnish essential data for decisions concerning access to safe drinking water.

This pilot project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6.1, which aims to ensure universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water by the year 2030. To facilitate the system's implementation, over 90 specialists from Karakalpakstan's sanitary and epidemiological welfare and public health agencies underwent training in Nukus.

The training program focused on equipping specialists with the necessary skills to operate WQMIS and utilize digital tools for water quality monitoring. Akmal Askarov, Deputy Health Minister of Karakalpakstan, inaugurated the event, emphasizing the importance of digitalizing water quality monitoring, professional development for specialists, and integrating information technologies into the public health system.

During the training, participants learned about WQMIS functionalities and engaged in practical exercises with the system. The curriculum included registering water sample data, submitting samples for laboratory analysis, and interpreting water quality information. Specialists also received instruction on generating automated reports and leveraging digital data for informed decision-making in water quality monitoring.

Attendees were provided with training and informational resources to support their ongoing use of WQMIS after the program. The training also fostered an exchange of practical experiences among specialists, who discussed challenges encountered during water quality monitoring and reviewed real-world scenarios pertinent to their work. The creation of WQMIS is part of a larger strategy to bolster water quality monitoring and develop climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Karakalpakstan.

As part of its regional program, UNICEF supports monitoring systems and the application of digital data for decision-making in water supply, sanitation, and hygiene. The WQMIS pilot will establish a centralized system for managing water quality information in Karakalpakstan, encompassing data collection, laboratory testing records, analysis, and reporting.