Kazakhstan Adopts 15-Year Water Management Strategy Based on New Code

Water is now officially defined as a limited strategic resource in Kazakhstan. Its allocation will be based on strict scientific calculations and long-term forecasting, according to the new Water Code. The legislation establishes a shift to a state planning system where regional economic development is directly tied to the availability of actual water reserves.

The state's water resources policy for the next 15 years will be built upon two foundational documents, as outlined in Articles 30 and 31 of the code.

The first is the General Plan for Integrated Water Resources Management. This national-level strategic document defines the country's water security goals, forecasts resource conditions—including those of transboundary rivers—and sets benchmarks for water-use efficiency across the economy.

The second pillar consists of Basin Plans. These are detailed "roadmaps" for each of Kazakhstan's eight water management basins. They translate national objectives into concrete local measures, ranging from the restoration of disappearing water bodies to the modernization of dams and canals.

Articles 30, 31, and 39 introduce a legislative hierarchy for water use. All plans must now mandatorily account for three key priorities:

Environmental Flow: A portion of water that must remain in nature to preserve rivers and lakes. This indicator is a top priority and cannot be withdrawn for economic needs.

Economic Productivity: Plans must evaluate how much income each cubic meter of water generates in different sectors, thereby incentivizing a shift to water-saving technologies.

Population Safety: A mandatory element includes creating digital maps of areas prone to floods and droughts, accompanied by a clear list of protective measures.

The development process is designed to be inclusive. As per Article 4, plans are not created behind closed doors. Basin Councils, which include representatives from the public and water users, play a key role in discussions. Their recommendations will form the basis for updating these strategic documents.

A strict timeline has been set for implementation: Basin Plans for all regions must be finalized by the end of 2026. Subsequently, based on this basin-level data, a unified General Plan for Integrated Water Resources Management is scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2027.

Once adopted, these documents will serve as an essential foundation. Approval for industrial, agricultural, and urban development plans will be impossible without taking their provisions into account.