The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan has established a new agency—the Committee for the Regulation, Protection, and Use of Water Resources.
The official website of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation says the new agency is tasked with combating illegal water usage, correcting data distortions in water accounting, and addressing unlawful economic activities related to the country's water resources.
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Mr. Nurlan Nurzhigitov, emphasized that the Ministry will place special emphasis on preventing water-related offenses and protecting the country's water resources. The Committee's efforts, along with proposed legislative changes, reportedly aim to significantly strengthen the fight against the "black market" of water.
Fergana news agency reports that last autumn, former Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Ms. Zulfiya Suleimenova, summarized her tenure by highlighting that the "black market" for water in the southern regions during the growing season was estimated at approximately 5 billion tenge (over US$11 million). This illicit market involves water theft, inaccurate data on the actual usage of irrigated lands, and unauthorized connections of pumps to canals and water bodies. Suleimenova noted that efforts to eliminate such issues began under her leadership
In January of this year, Nurlan Nurzhigitov reiterated the importance of combating the "black market" for water. He proposed amendments to the Entrepreneurial Code and the Code of Administrative Offenses (CoAP) to increase the accountability of water consumers.
"If they do not pay, there will be fines—many times higher than the water tariff," he emphasized.
The establishment of the Committee for the Regulation, Protection, and Use of Water Resources reportedly reflects Kazakhstan's commitment to addressing critical water resource management issues. The new agency is expected to enhance oversight and enforcement to ensure sustainable and legal use of water, which is vital for the country's agricultural and economic stability.
