S. Kozhaniyazov water resources - an element of sustainable development of the country

Today, Vice Minister S. Kozhaniyazov made a report on the development of the water industry by the end of 2021 and plans for 2022 at the board of the Ministry of Ecology.

"In the last few years, it has become obvious that water resources are one of the most important elements of the country's sustainable development. Our country depends on cross-border effluents, so mutually beneficial cooperation with neighboring countries is a key factor in ensuring the country's water security," the Vice Minister said in his speech.

The most dependent on transboundary runoff are the Aral-Syrdarya, Zhaiyk-Caspian and Shu-Talas basins. Therefore, the Kazakh side is constantly working in this direction with colleagues from neighboring countries.

Thus, along the Syrdarya River basin, together with Uzbekistan, electricity is exchanged with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which provides additional discharge of water from the Toktogul and Bahri-Tojik reservoirs.

Work is underway with Kyrgyzstan to approve the operating modes of the Orta-Tokoy and Kirov reservoirs, as well as schedules for water supply through interstate channels in the basins of the Shu and Talas rivers.

A program of Kazakh-Russian cooperation on the conservation and restoration of the ecosystem of the transboundary Zhaiyk River basin for 2021-2024 has been adopted and is being implemented.

In accordance with the instruction of the Head of State, work is underway on the construction and reconstruction of water infrastructure, digitalization of irrigation channels.

Last year, 1,050 km of irrigation canals were reconstructed, which allowed to restore 78 thousand hectares and improve water availability on an area of 13 thousand hectares of irrigated land. About 6 thousand hydraulic structures on the canals have been reconstructed and 95 vertical drainage wells have been restored. 16 channels have been digitized. As a result, water losses decreased by 273 million m3.

1. Kozhaniyazov: "In conditions of low water, the growing season of 2021 in the southern regions was very difficult. As a result of timely measures taken, it was possible to provide irrigation water to farmers without much loss.

This year's growing season will also take place in difficult conditions."

In preparation for the growing season, field meetings were held with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, MIO, water management organizations and farmers in Zhambyl, Turkestan, Kyzylorda and Almaty regions.

As a result of the meetings held in each region, recommendations were given to akimats and farmers, as well as instructions to basin inspections and RSE "Kazvodkhoz" to take additional measures to ensure stable provision of irrigation water to farmers.

To provide the population with drinking water in 2021, 5 group water pipes were repaired in Akmola, North Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Aktobe and Kyzylorda regions (with a total length of 800 km). 5 rural settlements with a population of about 6 thousand people received access to high-quality drinking water and water supply was improved in 51 rural settlements and 3 cities (Zhezkazgan, Satpayev, Makinsk) with a population of 203 thousand people.

The Ministry of Ecology is implementing the National project "Zhasyl Kazakhstan", within the framework of which, by 2025, work is underway to reduce irrigation losses by 4 km3, reduce the volume of fresh water intake in industry by 1.3 km3.

It is also worth noting that in accordance with the instruction of the Head of State on ensuring water security, the main approaches to the implementation of the state water policy are currently being developed, providing for strengthening Kazakhstan's position in the negotiation processes, strengthening the human resources of the Committee on Water Resources and its basin inspections. These approaches will be submitted to the Government in due time. To implement the proposed measures, legislative changes will be required and in this regard, work has begun on the development of a new Water Code.

At the conclusion of his speech, Vice Minister S. Kozhaniyazov also announced plans for 2022. He noted that by the end of this year, 3 emergency reservoirs (Udine, Char, Kargyba) in the East Kazakhstan region will be restored. As part of the construction of 9 new reservoirs, the construction of the Karaozek reservoir in the Kyzylorda region will begin by 2025 and the development of design and estimate documentation for the construction of 5 reservoirs (in Akmola - 1, Zhambyl – 3, West Kazakhstan – 1) will be completed.

About 1,720 km of trunk and inter-farm canals (including 712 km of PUID-2) will be reconstructed, which will restore 80 thousand hectares and improve water availability on an area of 24 thousand hectares of irrigated land.

About 14 thousand hydraulic structures on the canals will also be restored, 676 km of collectors will be reconstructed and 23 channels will be digitized.

As a result of the implementation of the above measures, annual water losses will be reduced by 458 million m3.

Work is also underway on 5 projects for the construction and reconstruction of group water pipes with a length of 194 km in the Karaganda, Kyzylorda and North Kazakhstan regions, which will improve water supply in 94 SNP with a population of more than 300 thousand people.