Wednesday 11/11/2026

• Major cities including Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, New Delhi and Mumbai recorded no price change.
• Central Asia has been hit hard by rising inflation due to trade route disruptions and economic challenges, resulting in significant price increases of 44.7% in Bishkek and 11.3% in Dushanbe.
• Kazakhstan suspended utility price increases from October 2025 to April 2026, which also suspended block pricing, so combined prices fell by more than 20% in Almaty and Astana.

• Cost recovery slips further away: current prices are already far below the estimated cost of providing water and wastewater services.
• Breaking the pattern is possible: Malaysia’s phased increases helped Indah Water Konsortium reach full operating cost recovery at the company level, though households still pay below cost and rural sewer expansion relies on government funding.
• Affordability can turn slow rises into cuts: Kazakhstan reduced prices in the name of affordability, despite utilities clamouring for more revenue.