“We Have Been Looking for Water All These Years” –Problem of Water in Didi Liakhvi Gorge

Levan Sepiskveradze

Main problem of the Georgian villages in the lower part of the Didi Liakhvi Gorge is water supply which was allegedly resolved two years ago. However, only three villages (partly) enjoy the water distribution system that was arranged by EU funding in the Zemo Nikozi village. As for other villages, they still face irrigation water problem. Locals hope soon this problem will be positively resolved.

During the war, Zemo Nikozi village was the hottest spot and locals faced irrigation water problem alongside the war follow-up deconstruction. Besides that, after the war large part of gardens and vine-yards in Zemo Nikozi village appeared on the occupied territory and locals lost source of their income and hectares of land.

As you know, after the war Georgian population refused to pay fee for the water to the de-facto government. Then, unidentified people damaged water system and pipes.

Old irrigation channel was running through the Didi Liakhvi Gorge and it often became reason of controversy. Years ago, when we conversed with local Georgian and Ossetian populations, everybody believed that previous government of Georgia was eager to resolve the conflict without blood. First of all, they had to resolve this problem which would satisfy everybody.

Giorgi Javakhishvili, resident of Didi Liakhvi Gorge: “Since Tskhinvali regime refused to supply us with water, naturally we started looking for the ways to resolve this problem. Initially we applied to village governors; they sent us to the regional governor; the latter said they did not have money and suggested to apply to the central authority. Khviti village residents held protest demonstration in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi to attract attention but the problem is still unresolved. Meanwhile we faced problem of drinking water and old, rusty pipes that needed replacement; lizards and frogs used to jump out of our taps because of old pipes.

When Saakashvili met ministers and ordered to resolve our problem, we hoped our hard life would finish; though we still were afraid that the government would again deceive us but thanks to the god they arranged an irrigation pond two years ago. However, this pond cannot supply everybody with irrigation water and it is still problem.

Representatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development clarified that they have information about water problems in the villages of upper part of Didi Liakhvi Gorge and those problems will be resolved soon.

“Currently we already work on the general plan of arrangement irrigation and water systems in conflict-zone villages. Population will soon enjoy the results of this work,” representatives of the Ministry stated.

Residents of Shida Kartli villages think that unless water problem is resolved, most part of the region will face serious problem. Harvest of local farms depends on the proper work of the irrigation system. During Soviet time three irrigation systems worked in the Didi Liakhvi Gorge, two in the Small Liakhvi Gorge and one central irrigation system in Prone River Ravine; that was more or less enough resource for local peasants. However, lack of water was always problematic in this region. 

“They should have resolved our water problem rather than to purchase so much armament. Nobody wanted war here; we all need peace and normal life but who cares about our opinion. Even 1000 lari pension is useless because our harvest will dry out throughout the year. Georgian and Ossetian people are not lazy to work but we cannot work in similar conditions. Nobody will live on the pension in the village,” said ethnic Ossetian resident of Didi Liakhvi Gorge Murman Kokoev and added that he and many other peasants wish somebody had considered their needs in the government and if they did, so many disaster would not have happened in Shida Kartli at all; they would not even have water problem.