Emergency repair and restoration works are underway on a 1200 mm diameter waste water collector that collapsed due to illegal housing construction on Rashid Baghirov Street in Baku's Khatai district.
The United Large Cities Water Supply Service, operating under the State Water Resources Agency, informed the Operative Information Center-OMM that the damage was caused by the excessive pressure of residential structures built directly over the infrastructure. The restoration process is being managed by a dedicated headquarters led by the Chairman of the State Water Resources Agency, Zaur Mikayılov.
According to official reports, the repair works are being executed by the Agency's Directorate of Facilities Under Construction. To access the damaged section, workers had to excavate a 9-meter deep trench across a wide area after establishing necessary safety barriers and protection zones. The damaged portion of the collector will be completely replaced with new infrastructure to ensure the stability of the waste water system in the capital.
Prior to this incident, significant upgrades were already completed in the vicinity to mitigate risks. Approximately 100 meters of a 500 mm cast iron line located under residential houses were relocated and replaced with polyethylene pipes. Additionally, old steel pipes with diameters of 100 and 150 mm were replaced with 110 and 160 mm polyethylene alternatives. Authorities noted that residents had been previously warned about the increasing risks of infrastructure failure due to the proximity of the buildings to the main lines.
The State Water Resources Agency of Azerbaijan is responsible for the management, protection, and supply of water resources across the country. In recent years, Azerbaijan has significantly increased investments in urban infrastructure to modernize the Soviet-era sewage and water supply systems in Baku and other major cities, aiming to meet growing demographic demands and ensure environmental safety.
