Identified 65 breaches of water usage regulations in the Turkestan region
In a bid to enhance water security, transparency, and sustainable management of water resources, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in Kazakhstan has rolled out a series of measures to combat the illegal "shadow" water market.
Key among these measures is the introduction of a New Water Code, enacted in June 2025. This comprehensive legal framework defines “water security” for the first time and sets important regulations such as banning the construction of blind dams on small rivers and requiring local authorities to establish water protection zones within two years. It also mandates the creation of basin water management plans based on water availability forecasts and expands public participation through basin councils that advise on water use and related emergencies [1].
To promote accountability and curb illegal water trading, the Ministry has committed to publishing an annual national information report on water use and conditions online. This move aims to make water allocation and usage data publicly accessible [1].
Large-scale infrastructure projects are also being implemented to modernize water supply infrastructures, such as irrigation canals and hydraulic structures. For instance, reconstruction efforts in Southern Kazakhstan have significantly reduced water losses, and water supply capacities are being expanded through new desalination plants and improved irrigation networks [2][4].
Over 160 billion tenge from a Special State Fund—assembled partly through reclaiming illegally withdrawn assets—has been allocated to approximately 230 water supply projects aimed at ensuring sustainable and legal water distribution. This aligns with presidential directives emphasizing the return of illicit funds and the modernization of water resources management [3].
Efforts are also underway to accelerate the adoption of smart water management and digital technologies that improve monitoring and reduce illegal extraction or distribution of water [3].
Following a meeting with local law enforcement chiefs, the water agency and regional law enforcement chiefs agreed to join forces to combat illegal water use. Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov noted that this would be a significant step in implementing the Head of State's instructions to ensure law and order and fully eliminate the "shadow" water market [5].
In the Jetysai district of Turkestan region, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has identified 65 violations of irrigation water usage rules. Fines double the approved tariff are imposed for water consumption without a contract, and 1.5 times higher than the approved tariff are imposed for changing the type of crops grown without coordinating with the water supplier [6].
Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov emphasized the importance of law enforcement in ensuring fair distribution of irrigation water and combating its illegal use. He also stated that including law enforcement representatives in monitoring groups will enhance their effectiveness [7]. Four working groups have also been set up to constantly monitor water bodies [8].
In three cases, rice fields were irrigated without a water supply contract [9]. Sixty-one of the 65 cases identified involved unauthorized switching of crops to more water-loving ones without coordinating with the water supplier [10].
These integrated steps are aimed at improving official water resource governance, reducing losses, and enhancing oversight, thereby closing gaps in the water supply chain and making water use more transparent and accountable. While the focus of these measures is broad, they collectively target the root causes enabling the "shadow" water market.
In the context of promoting environmental-science and general-news, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in Kazakhstan is taking significant steps to combat the illegal "shadow" water market by introducing new regulations such as the New Water Code and increasing public participation through basin councils [1]. To further enhance transparency, the Ministry plans to publish an annual national information report on water use and conditions online [1]. In the realm of finance, over 160 billion tenge from a Special State Fund has been allocated to water supply projects aimed at ensuring sustainable and legal water distribution [3]. This initiative aligns with the focus on modernizing water resources management and reducing illegal water trading.
