Kazakhstan has made a significant step in reforming its water management system. These changes are aimed at sustainable and efficient use of water, as well as ensuring security in the face of climate change. As part of the 2024 Outlook series, Primeminister.kz will detail the key initiatives that are shaping the future of the country's water sector.

The President's address ‘Economic Course of Fair Kazakhstan’ pays important attention to the availability and quality of water resources. The problem of water scarcity is becoming increasingly urgent against the backdrop of population and economic growth. Kazakhstan remains dependent on transboundary water sources, which exacerbates the need for a balanced water policy. The President stressed that ‘Eurasia's rivers and canals are a common natural asset designed to unite peoples and economies’, which requires a constant search for mutually beneficial solutions with neighbouring states.

The year 2024 has become an important milestone in the reform and development of Kazakhstan's water sector. The government aims to accelerate the modernisation of water supply and wastewater infrastructure. The most important tasks include construction of new reservoirs, reconstruction of existing facilities, introduction of digital technologies and water-saving solutions. Important developments have been the continued implementation of reforms in water management, improving agricultural efficiency through water conservation, and expanding the scientific base and training of specialists for the water sector.

Modernisation of infrastructure and irrigation

The country has more than 13,000 hydraulic structures, including reservoirs, dams and canals that provide regular irrigation of agricultural land. In 2024, 10.9 km3 of irrigation water was supplied to the southern regions of the country, accounting for 97 per cent of the total irrigation water withdrawal. The indicators for the Talas and Shu rivers have been significantly improved, which confirms the effectiveness of the implemented water supply and irrigation measures. The Shardara reservoir received 4.8 billion m3 of water in 2024, which is 2 times more than in 2023.

The Head of State highlighted a number of key areas requiring immediate response. Among them are modernisation of water infrastructure, revision of tariff policy, introduction of water-saving technologies and improvement of the legislative framework.

Since its establishment, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has initiated large-scale reforms aimed at deep transformation of the country's water sector. Much work has been done to develop a new legal and regulatory framework: a new draft Water Code has been developed, the first hearings in the Majilis have been held, the Concept of Water Resources Management System Development until 2030 has been approved, and the Comprehensive Water Sector Development Plan until 2028 and the Roadmap for Water Conservation until 2026 have been developed.

The documents are aimed at modernising the water sector, introducing water-saving technologies and ensuring resilience to the effects of climate change. An important step was also the establishment of the Water Sector Development Partners Coordination Council, which will become a key platform for discussing topical issues and innovative solutions.

The programme for modernisation of reservoirs and irrigation systems includes the construction of 20 new reservoirs and the reconstruction of 15 existing reservoirs, including the reconstruction of more than 14,000 km of irrigation canals.

The initiatives will significantly increase reservoir capacity and improve water management in critical regions of the country. Modernisation of irrigation canals will help reduce water losses during transportation from 50% to 25%, which will provide additional water for agriculture.

The year's figures show significant progress: in 2024, 93 hydraulic structures were surveyed in Kazakhstan, and 260 dams with a total length of 592.9 kilometres were built and strengthened.

Main principles of the new Water Code

The Code is aimed at solving urgent water management problems, preventing water scarcity and preserving ecosystems under climate change. The document is based on five key principles:

• Recognising water as the basis of life and economic development;
• Consideration of the economic value of water resources;
• Integrated utilisation of surface and groundwater;
• Rational use and water conservation;
• Involvement of the public in water management issues.

The document introduces for the first time the concept of water security, covering the protection of the population and economy from the risks of water scarcity and pollution of water bodies. And also - ‘environmental flow’ - the minimum volume of water conserved to maintain the ecosystems of rivers, lakes and seas. This prevents depletion and degradation of water bodies.

The Water Code includes 121 articles, 14 chapters and 6 sections. It provides for amendments to 4 codes (environmental, business, civil and land) and 9 laws related to environmental management, agro-industry, construction and energy.

Digitalisation of the water management system

A key area within the water sector reform is the introduction of digital technologies for water accounting, management and forecasting.

In 2025, it is planned to launch the National Information System of Water Resources, which will provide real-time monitoring of the state of water bodies, as well as forecasting of floods and droughts.

Pursuant to the Head of State's instruction of 1 April 2024, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, together with the Ministries of Ecology and Natural Resources, Water Resources and Irrigation, and Ministry for Emergency Situations, is developing the Tasqyn flood forecasting and modelling information system, which will make it possible to simulate possible emergencies and make relevant forecasts for strategic decision-making.

In addition, on the instructions of the Head of State, work is underway to digitise 3,500 km of the country's irrigation networks.

In particular, in Kyzylorda province a project of reconstruction of water intake stations with installation of automated water metering system on five canals: Novoshielinskiy, O-2, Kelintobe, Aitek and Sunakata is being implemented.

In Zhambyl region, Turkestan and Zhambyl region, 16 irrigation canals will be automated from 2024 to 2026.

Design and estimate documentation for automation of 16 main and inter-farm canals in Kyzylorda province is also being developed. These projects will be implemented from 2026 to 2027 at the expense of the Islamic Development Bank. As a result of their implementation, it is planned to reduce water consumption for irrigation by 0.5 km3 per year. Automation of the canals will ensure quality and accurate water accounting. An integral part will be their monitoring on the basis of a situation centre organised in the Information and Analytical Centre for Water Resources.

In July 2024, by the Resolution of the Government of Kazakhstan, RGU ‘RMC “Kazagromeliovodkhoz” was reorganised into NAO “Information and Analytical Centre for Water Resources” with 100% state participation. The Centre's activity will focus on the following areas:

• improvement of reporting systems for water users;
• collection and processing of all data in the field of water management;
• short- and long-term flood forecasting and modelling;
• reporting of water scarcity risks;
• regular submission of processed data to the authorised body for management decisions and others.

Digitalisation of the water sector facilitates rapid response to emergency situations and increases management transparency, creating conditions for sustainable use of water resources.

Fighting the water black market

The Ministry has started to fight against irregularities in water management. The Internal Audit Department of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation audited branches of Kazvodkhoz.

The draft Water Code introduces a new type of state control in the field of protection and use of the water fund - investigation. This measure is designed to strengthen the protection of the water fund and increase responsibility for violations.

The number of employees of basin inspections has increased 1.5 times. If earlier their number was 98 people, now the total staff of basin inspections of Kazakhstan is 242 people. This allowed opening basin inspection departments in each regional centre of the republic.

Water diplomacy and cooperation with neighbouring countries

Kazakhstan continues to actively develop water diplomacy. This year, the country began a three-year chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and held important negotiations with its neighbours on water issues. Since the beginning of the year, some 35 meetings have been held on transboundary rivers with China, Russia and Central Asian countries.

Agreements have been reached with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan on water supply to Kazakhstan through the transboundary rivers Shu, Talas and Syrdarya. Negotiations are underway with China on more than 20 rivers, including the Ertis and Ili.

A significant step was Kazakhstan's participation in the UN Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses, which promotes equitable distribution of transboundary water resources.

Expansion of irrigated lands and water-saving technologies

The main volume of water resources is provided by surface water in the average annual volume of 106 km3, of which 55.7 % is formed on the territory of the country, the remaining 44.3 % is the inflow of transboundary rivers from China, Uzbekistan, Russia and Kyrgyzstan.

Approximately 60% of all water resources are used for agriculture, which makes Kazakhstan one of the most water-intensive countries in Central Asia in terms of water use in agriculture. This is due to the nature of agricultural production, where irrigation plays a key role.

Agriculture in Kazakhstan, taking into account the specific climate and water deficit, needs efficient irrigation methods. In this context, the introduction of water-saving technologies continued and the area of irrigated land increased from 312.2 thousand hectares to 462.2 thousand hectares in 2024. Special attention was paid to the introduction of drip irrigation and sprinkler systems. These methods not only contribute to water saving, but also significantly increase crop yields. In particular, with the help of drip irrigation, farmers will be able to reduce water consumption by 40-50 per cent and increase crop yields by 1.5-2 times.

The government has also increased subsidies for farmers to adopt water-saving technologies. Financing programmes and farmer training have helped to spread advanced irrigation practices, which in turn has led to improved economic performance in the agricultural sector.

Water supply to human settlements

For 2024, Kazakhstan has allocated 218 billion tenge for the implementation of 324 water supply projects. Of this amount, 106 billion tenge is allocated to 122 projects in urban areas and 112 billion tenge to 202 projects in rural settlements. Within the framework of these measures, centralised water supply was provided in 39 villages in the first 10 months of this year, complex block-modules were installed in 166 villages, and in 49 villages worn-out water supply networks were reconstructed at the expense of the national budget.

As of 2024, the availability of quality drinking water in urban areas is 99.5 per cent and in rural areas 97.8 per cent. Compared to last year, this corresponds to an increase of 0.6 per cent in urban areas and 1.2 per cent in rural areas.

Future plans include the full provision of 100 per cent of settlements with quality water services by the end of 2025, which will significantly improve living standards in rural and urban areas of the country.

Flood management systems and emergency measures

The country's water management facilities successfully met the challenge of passing water and allowed reservoirs to be filled, channelling water to ecosystems and agriculture. More than 12 billion m3 of water was stored and used for the needs of economic sectors. If last year the total water release from reservoirs was about 13 billion m3 for the whole flood period, this year for 1 month the total water release from reservoirs was more than 36 billion m3, which indicates the scale of the flood.

Since the beginning of the year, 15.2 billion m3 of water has flowed into Lake Balkhash, of which 3.3 billion m3 during the flood period. The Caspian Sea has received 17.1 billion m3 of water since the beginning of the year. 80 million m3 of water was directed to the Kamysh-Samar lakes in West Kazakhstan province. From the Ulytau region, 839 million m3 of water was directed to the Kyzylorda region. Thanks to this, for the first time in the history of observations, this water reached the lake systems of Kyzylorda province through the Sarysu River.

In order to fulfil the Head of State's instruction of 1 April 2024, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry together with the Ministries of Ecology and Natural Resources, Emergency Situations, Water Resources and Irrigation are developing an information system for flood forecasting and modelling ‘Tasqyn’. This system will make it possible to model possible emergency situations and make appropriate forecasts for strategic decision-making.

Forecasts of water discharge at water bodies serve as one of the bases for measures to regulate discharges at hydraulic structures and reduce the load on the environment during periods of unfavourable hydrometeorological conditions. As far as the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is concerned, the methodology regulates the calculation of operational and forecast water balances prepared for analysing and adjusting water use regimes in reservoirs and water management systems, as well as for operational water distribution. The launch of the information system is planned by the end of this year. Further training seminars for representatives of interested state bodies and organisations are planned.

Institutional changes and establishment of new scientific institutions

The year 2024 was an important year in terms of institutional changes in the water sector. In particular, the National Hydrogeological Service was re-established in the water resources management system, which improved the quality of monitoring and management of water reserves, as well as the security of water supply. This service plays a key role in assessing the state of water resources and developing measures for their rational use.

In addition, specialised organisations for the operation of hydraulic structures have been established in 9 regions of Kazakhstan. These organisations are aimed at improving the quality of operation and maintenance of hydraulic structures, which in turn minimises the risks of accidents and water losses.

Significant institutional reforms include the transfer of fisheries functions from the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources to the Ministry of Agriculture. This change will improve coordination of activities in fish farming and utilisation of water resources for the fishing industry.

Scientific and educational development of the water sector

In 2024, Kazakhstan took an important step in the development of the water sector through the establishment of new scientific and educational institutions. The establishment of the Kazakh Research Institute of the Caspian Sea was a significant contribution to the study of the ecology and sustainable use of water resources in the region. This institute conducts research, develops new technologies and monitors the state of the Caspian ecosystem. The Kazakh National University of Water Management and Irrigation was also established, which actively trains specialists in the field of ecology and water resources management, thus strengthening the human resource base of the industry. In the 2025 academic year, the university plans to introduce the speciality ‘hydroecology’. This field of knowledge is becoming particularly relevant in the context of water pollution, climate change and the need for rational use of water bodies.

The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is implementing a number of measures to improve the qualifications of water sector specialists. In 2024, the salaries of Kazvodkhoz employees were significantly increased, which stimulated the attractiveness of working in this field. In addition, water professions were included in the Bolashak programme, which allowed specialists of the Ministry to apply for training abroad. As a result of the measures taken, more than 450 workers in the water sector have taken advanced training courses.

Cooperation with 9 universities is also an important element, which allowed students to undergo industrial practice in water management organisations.

Kazakhstan is also actively developing international co-operation in the water sector. In particular, the Taraz Regional University and the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation Engineers have signed an agreement on a joint programme of double-diploma education, which allows students to obtain diplomas from both countries.

The establishment of the Sectoral Council on Professional Qualifications and the updating of professional standards, such as ‘Hydraulic Engineering Land Reclamation’, have significantly improved the quality of specialist training. Within the framework of international co-operation with the Netherlands, seminars and trainings on water resources management were held, which contributed to improving the qualifications of Kazakh specialists.

As a result of joint work with the PRC, an agreement was reached to send more than 100 water sector specialists for training there in 2025.

#Address of the Head of State #Digitalization #Floods #International Cooperation #President's instruction #Regions #water resources