Water Management - The Times Of Central Asia

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Report Addresses Cross-Border Challenges in Irtysh River Basin

The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has released a report titled “The Irtysh River Basin: Transboundary Challenges and Practical Solutions”, analyzing the water resources of the transboundary Irtysh River basin, shared by China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The report highlights growing water demand in all three countries and proposes practical solutions to address cross-border challenges. Strategic Importance of the Irtysh River The Irtysh River, the world’s longest transboundary tributary, stretches 4,248 km and, together with the Ob River, forms Russia’s longest waterway, the second longest in Asia and the seventh longest globally. Flowing from China through Kazakhstan into Russia, the river is crucial for all three countries, necessitating strategic cooperation in its management. [caption id="attachment_29111" align="aligncenter" width="1950"] The Irtysh River Basin; image: eabr.org[/caption] Key Challenges in Each Country China In China, the upper Irtysh River is essential for the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), where the population has surged from 15.2 million in 1990 to 25.87 million in 2022. Rapid regional development has made water stress a pressing issue. Research forecasts that annual water withdrawals from the Irtysh could more than triple, from the current 1.5 - 2.0 km³ to 7 km³, out of an average natural flow of 8.3 km³. Kazakhstan In Kazakhstan, the Irtysh and its tributaries support 30% of the population and contribute 45% of the country’s total agricultural output. The Irtysh HPP Cascade accounts for 10% of Kazakhstan’s electricity generation and 80% of its hydropower capacity. Increased water withdrawals by China pose significant risks to Kazakhstan’s water security. Russia For Russia, upstream water policies in China and Kazakhstan are major concerns. Excessive Chinese withdrawals could reduce Kazakhstan’s downstream flow, impacting Omsk and the surrounding Omsk Municipal District. Changes in water availability and quality over the next decade present serious socio-economic challenges for the region. Key Recommendations from the Report The EDB report outlines four major recommendations for managing transboundary water challenges: Expanding Bilateral and Trilateral Cooperation The report urges stronger water agreements between Kazakhstan and Russia, as well as between Kazakhstan and China, incorporating international water management principles. Recommended cooperation areas include: Ensuring international navigation on the Irtysh-Ob River system Controlling water pollution Regulating safe water usage Improving efficiency during floods, droughts, and low-water periods This groundwork would help establish a future trilateral water management agreement between the three countries. Strengthening Water Management Infrastructure The report calls for soft infrastructure development, such as: Creating an interstate river flow monitoring system with open data access Developing joint training programs for water management specialists Expanding interdisciplinary water research involving experts from all three nations Coordinating Hydraulic Infrastructure Operations The report stresses the importance of joint management of existing and future hydropower plants, dams, reservoirs, and irrigation canals to ensure stable water supplies without harming other nations' resources. Priority projects include: Shulbinsk HPP (Phase 2) in Kazakhstan Semipalatinsk HPP in Kazakhstan Modernization of the Satpayev Irtysh-Karaganda Canal in Kazakhstan Construction of the Krasnogorsk hydro-system near Omsk, Russia Developing a Multimodal Transport Corridor The report proposes a multimodal transport corridor linking Russia,...

Finance EBRD Banking Water Management Infrastructure Projects

Securing Central Asia’s Future: EBRD’s Regional Head on the Fight for Water Sustainability

Every fourth inhabitant of Central Asia, home to more than 83 million people, does not have regular access to safe drinking water. The region spans more than four million square kilometers, and over 15% of its territory is covered by the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts, as well as waterless places such as the Ustyurt Plateau (similar in size to the United Kingdom), which stretches across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The extreme heat common to Central Asia in summer makes water a precious resource. To make matters worse, irresponsible human activity, particularly wasteful water use for irrigation, has led to one of the most devastating ecological catastrophes globally. The Aral Sea, where up to 60,000 tonnes of fish were caught annually only 30 years ago, has practically ceased to exist. Most of Central Asia’s freshwater intake relies on glacial melts affected by global warming. The World Resources Institute forecast in its 2023 Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas that an additional one billion people globally will live with extremely high water stress by 2050. This will disrupt economies and agricultural production. Most Central Asian countries will be severely affected. While the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) cannot reverse the global warming process or tackle its impacts alone, it can certainly contribute to climate change mitigation efforts, securing better water access, and promoting its rational use. There is frequently no water supply or water treatment infrastructure in rural areas of the regions where it invests. Most municipal water supply and treatment utilities across Central Asia have not seen much investment or refurbishment over the last 30 years. The EBRD has been working to address this issue, and many of its investment projects are already impacting people’s lives. [caption id="attachment_29070" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Image: EBRD[/caption] In Kazakhstan, the Bank’s work with Vodnye Resoursy Marketing (VRM)/Shymkent water company, the country’s only privately owned municipal water utility, perfectly illustrates why the EBRD is such a strong advocate of private-sector involvement in the provision of municipal services. Over many years, we have enjoyed excellent cooperation with this company, which has translated into high-quality water supply services for more than 1.2 million residents of Shymkent. It has become a benchmark for the region for its effective and efficient operations. Thanks to VRM’s efforts, with 1.2 million residents, Shymkent became the first city in Kazakhstan to install a water meter for every consumer. User habits have changed: personal daily water consumption has decreased from 456 liters 27 years ago to 150 liters. The water savings achieved during this period will enable Shymkent to meet the needs of its population for another 20 years. The EBRD started working with VRM in 2009 and has financed five projects totaling €60 million. With the Bank’s financial assistance, VRM has introduced an automated network monitoring system, improved power supply at twelve pumping stations, constructed eleven electrical substations, and built a European Union standards-compliant biogas facility (the only one of its kind in Central Asia), which helps VRM to meet all of its thermal...

Asian Development Bank Water Management Access to Clean Water Water Security

ADB to Help Uzbekistan Introduce Smart Water Management

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $125 million loan to support Uzbekistan’s government in modernizing water management, improving water security, and expanding access to safe and reliable water. Advancing Smart Water Management ADB’s Climate-Smart Water Management Improvement Project will assist Joint Stock Company Uzsuvtaminot, the country’s national water utility, and its regional branches in enhancing water infrastructure and efficiency. Key initiatives include: Completing the nationwide installation of bulk flow metering and telemetry systems at major water sources. Conducting a comprehensive asset inventory and geographic mapping of all water supply and wastewater infrastructure, covering approximately 4 million customer connections. Implementing climate-smart, IT-based utility management systems, including training programs for national water utility staff. Upgrading customer service centers with new financial management software, ensuring transparent financial statements aligned with international standards. Addressing Water Security Challenges ADB Country Director for Uzbekistan Kanokpan Lao-Araya emphasized the urgency of improving water management in the face of climate change and inefficient usage. “Uzbekistan’s water resources are under acute threat from climate change and inefficient usage. ADB’s project introduces smart water management systems to improve water usage, reduce energy consumption, and increase operational efficiency to lower Uzbekistan’s carbon footprint,” she stated. ADB’s Ongoing Support for Uzbekistan Since Uzbekistan joined ADB in 1995, the bank has committed $14.3 billion in public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance to support the country’s development.

Water resources water saving Aral Sea Water Management

Hope for the Northern Aral Sea as Restoration Efforts Continue

Between October 2024 and January 2025, one billion cubic meters of water will be directed to the Northern Aral Sea - 100 million cubic meters more than initially planned. Agreements with Central Asian countries will further increase this figure to 1.6 billion cubic meters by March. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the current water volume in the Northern Aral Sea stands at 22.1 billion cubic meters, up from 18.9 billion cubic meters at the beginning of 2022. By the end of 2025, this volume is projected to reach 23.4 billion cubic meters. The reservoir’s surface area has also expanded, reaching 3,065 square kilometers - an increase of 111 square kilometers over the past two years. The rising water levels have had a positive impact on the ecosystem: salinity has decreased, the population of 22 fish species has recovered, and the annual fish catch has reached 8,000 tons. Meanwhile, a project to preserve the Kokaral Dam and restore the Syr Darya River delta is nearing completion. Reconstruction work on dams between Lake Karashalan and the Syr Darya, the construction of the Tauir protective dam, and the renovation of the Karashalan-1 canal have already been completed. By the end of the year, the reconstruction of the Kokaral Dam is expected to be finished, further reducing salinity and stabilizing water levels in the Northern Aral Sea. Efforts to improve water efficiency in Kazakhstan’s Kyzylorda region have also contributed to the sea’s recovery. The use of laser leveling technology on rice fields has saved 200 million cubic meters of water, which has been redirected to the Northern Aral. The leveling of 55,000 hectares of rice fields has also boosted crop yields, increasing harvests from 40-55 centners per hectare to 70-80 centners per hectare. To encourage the adoption of water-saving technologies, the government has raised subsidies for infrastructure installation from 50% to 80% and increased compensation for irrigation water to as much as 85%, depending on the tariff. Reforestation efforts in the Aral Sea basin are also ongoing. Between 2021 and 2024, 4.4 million seedlings were planted on the dried-up seabed of the Large Aral Sea, covering 475,000 hectares. In 2025, an additional 428,000 hectares will be greened, bringing the total afforested area to 1.1 million hectares. Kazakhstan assumed the chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) on January 1, 2024. As part of its leadership, the IFAS Executive Committee has approved a 2024-2026 work plan, which includes approximately 40 initiatives across 10 priority areas.

Water Management Water Conservation Bilateral Cooperation borders Water resources

Uzbekistan to Supply 16 Billion Cubic Meters of Water to Kazakhstan by October 2025

Uzbekistan has agreed to supply 16 billion cubic meters of water to Kazakhstan by October 1, 2025, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. This agreement was reached during the 12th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Bilateral Water Cooperation, attended by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources, Shavkat Khamrayev. In the previous water-sharing period (October 2023 - October 2024), Kazakhstan received 15 billion cubic meters of water. This year, the allocation will increase by 1 billion cubic meters. Uzbekistan has also pledged to ensure a stable water supply through the Dostyk Canal during the 2025 irrigation season. Additionally, both countries have agreed to carry out joint repairs on interstate canals to improve water access for farmers in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan region and Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region. A key topic of discussion was the automation of water metering in the Syr Darya River. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have identified 10 monitoring points (five in each country) where automated water tracking systems will be installed. The technical specifications for a feasibility study have been approved. Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation announced that a follow-up meeting with international organizations is planned for February to discuss further implementation steps. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kazakhstan is set to receive 11 billion cubic meters of irrigation water by April 2025 under a regional agreement reached in Dushanbe. The deal was signed at a meeting of Central Asian water officials from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The water will flow into the Shardara Reservoir in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan region via the Syr Darya River. Of this amount, 1.6 billion cubic meters will be allocated to the Aral Sea to help support its ecosystem.

Irrigation Regional Cooperation Water Management transboundary water water saving

Kazakhstan Secures 11 Billion Cubic Meters of Irrigation Water from Central Asian Neighbors

Kazakhstan will receive 11 billion cubic meters of irrigation water by April 2025 under an agreement reached in Dushanbe at a meeting of the Interstate Water Management Coordination Commission of Central Asia. The meeting brought together water management officials from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Discussions focused on managing water resources in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya River basins. The allocated volume will flow into the Shardara Reservoir in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan region via the Syr Darya River. Of this total, 1.6 billion cubic meters will be directed to the Aral Sea to support its ecosystem. Kazakhstan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, stated that the agreement will help the country secure sufficient irrigation water for the upcoming agricultural season while sustaining ecosystems in southern Kazakhstan. Nurzhigitov highlighted the stark contrast between the south and other parts of the country: “There are no large-scale floods in the south as there are in the west and north. In the summer, the demand for irrigation water is extremely high. That’s why we take a different approach to water management in the south, where water diplomacy is a priority. Through negotiations, we ensured an uninterrupted water supply to the region last year. We continue to resolve water distribution and transboundary water protection issues in cooperation with our Central Asian colleagues.” Kazakhstan’s agriculture, particularly in its arid southern regions, depends heavily on irrigation water from upstream Central Asian neighbors. As a result, regional water management remains a crucial factor in both economic and political relations among the countries of Central Asia.