1. Introduction & Context
The village of Yrdyk in eastern Kyrgyzstan, home to around 3,000 people, has long struggled with unreliable and unsafe drinking water. The existing Soviet-era pipe system often delivers low pressure, leaving households—especially in newer or higher areas—without water during peak demand. Seasonal floods, snowmelt, and drought further disrupt supply. Residents rely on a river intake, a partially functional chlorination station, and an unfinished well, none of which could provide safe, consistent water. IngOG+, in collaboration with Holinger AG, supported the community in designing a sustainable solution that improves access, ensures safe drinking water, and strengthens local capacity for long-term maintenance.
2. Project Goal
The project aimed to secure safe and reliable drinking water for the entire population of Yrdyk (approximately 3,000 people). Beyond improving health and resilience, the initiative sought to empower the community to operate and maintain the system independently. By developing a simple, low-maintenance water treatment method, the project also created a model that could be replicated in other remote villages facing similar challenges.
3. Approach & Technical Solution
The project combined rehabilitation of the existing distribution network with construction of a new treatment system. Connections were extended to cover the “New Settlement,” and the local groundwater well was linked to the village reservoir. A central challenge was the low pressure in the old Soviet-era pipes, which caused some households—especially in the higher or newly built areas—to receive little or no water during periods of high demand. To solve this, the network was partially rebuilt, optimizing pipe diameters and slopes, and strategic booster points were added to maintain adequate flow throughout the village. The core element was a low-tech slow sand filter (KLS filter) for river water, which operates without electricity or chemicals and is easy to maintain. Two parallel treatment lanes allow continuous operation and biological recovery. By 2025, the filter was operational, and in winter 2025–early 2026, the village built a protective structure around it themselves, demonstrating strong ownership.
4. Lessons Learnt & Impact
The project showed that technical solutions are most effective when paired with strong community ownership. The village’s decision to finance and build a protective structure around the filter highlights their commitment and care for the resource. Early operation demonstrated significant improvement in water quality and availability, ensuring reliable access for all residents. Collaboration with Holinger AG provided valuable knowledge exchange, while local engineers gained practical experience in low-tech water treatment. The project has created a replicable model for nearby villages, combining technical robustness, simplicity, and local engagement. Overall, Yrdyk now benefits from safer, more reliable drinking water, improved resilience, and strengthened community capacity for future water projects.
