Water Code of Kazakhstan Now Active
Fresh Splash in Kazakhstan: The Game-Changing Water Code Unleashed
It's time to dive into some splashy news! On June 10, Kazakhstan's fresh new Water Code kicked into action, as announced by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. Here's what you need to know:
For the very first time, the idea of 'water security' has been brought to the table - guarding residents, the economy, and our precious water bodies from the threats of scarcity and pollution. Another term to remember is 'ecological flow,' which ensures our rivers, lakes, and seas maintain healthy ecosystems through the maintenance of minimum water levels.
The new document outlines the creation of strategic plans for managing water resources, ensuring these plans align with the nation's overall planning. Basin councils will now have the power to make recommendations for cutting water usage, fighting floods and droughts, and dealing with rule-breakers among local authorities.
Eau de protection will be the new fragrance around small rivers and lakes as the construction of blind dams on these waterways is now forbidden. Wetlands and glaciers will also enjoy a special protection regime. Local authorities have two years to determine water protection zones and strips in populated areas.
Adapting to climate change takes center stage. Predicted actions include cleaning and deepening work on rivers and lakes, defining water body boundaries during peak floods, setting up engineering systems to defend populated areas and infrastructure, collecting and storing floodwater and meltwater for use during droughts, using treated agricultural wastewater, and employing crop rotation and novel water-saving technologies.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation will now have its noses to the grindstone, closely monitoring the condition and operation of hydraulic structures during floods. They'll also be directing floodwater into water bodies. Each year, they'll release an annual national report on water use on their website.
New water-saving incentive mechanisms are in the pipeline. For instance, water permits will be issued only with a plan for the gradual transition to recycled or reuse water supply. Granting five years for the transition, and two years for the plan development from the Water Code's enactment date.
Independent water users can now accumulate meltwater for agricultural purposes without a special permit. A pond, reservoir, or other container should be built, with a volume limit of 2 million cubic meters. The basin water inspection must be informed accordingly.
The Ministry has stepped up with new responsibilities including the regulation of groundwater and putting a swift end to the illegal water market. Basin water inspection powers are beefed up to address this illicit activity.
Amendments have been tossed into the mix for the Civil, Land, Entrepreneurial, Forest, Administrative, and Environmental Codes, as well as 13 laws.
Dive deeper with the following reads:
- Click: Digitization, Infrastructure, AI: Kazakhstan and Italy Sign Memorandum on Cooperation in Water Resources
- Paddle: 4 billion cubic meters of water diverted from the Sergeevskoye Reservoir to North Kazakhstan
- With the focus on climate change and environmental science, the new Water Code in Kazakhstan emphasizes the importance of policy and legislation in protecting the environment, by outlining the creation of strategies for managing water resources and empowering basin councils to implement water-saving measures.
- As part of the Water Code, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation will now prioritize scientific research associated with climate-change and general-news, such as adapting to rising temperatures and scarce water resources, including initiatives like cleaning rivers and lakes, defining water body boundaries during floods, and employing water-saving technologies.
- Beyond the Water Code, Kazakhstan's collaboration with other nations, like Italy, in digitalization, infrastructure, and AI, will undoubtedly have an impact on environmental science and climate-change policy and legislation, serving as a model for nations worldwide.
