The Zhogorku Kenesh Committee on Agrarian Policy, Water Resources, Ecology and Regional Development adopted the draft Water Code in the third reading.

The draft of the new Water Code proposes to exclude the right of private and municipal ownership of water management structures located in rural districts, with the gradual transfer of these structures to state ownership.

The background to the bill notes that this initiative is aimed at ensuring a stable supply of irrigation water from state water management facilities, as well as improving the collection of payments for water use in order to make it more timely and complete.

In addition, the new draft Water Code will propose two new concepts:

• “Water body” means all natural water bodies such as glaciers, rivers, lakes, swamps and other water bodies of natural origin. These objects will be subject to a protection regime with restrictions on certain types of activities, which will help protect water resources.
• “Water management structure” means man-made water bodies such as canals, dams, reservoirs and other structures intended for water management. The land adjacent to these structures will be used to provide irrigation water for agricultural production.

The project also provides for restrictions on the use of land adjacent to water management structures to ensure their safe operation:

• On the lands along the canals and above the collector-drainage network (CDN), it is prohibited to construct buildings or plant trees and shrubs. This is necessary so as not to impede the passage of equipment intended for the repair of hydraulic structures or to avoid damage to the CDN.
• The construction of hydroelectric power stations that could threaten the safety of these dams will also be prohibited in the area near reservoir dams.

The proposed changes to the Water Code are aimed at improving water management, increasing the safety of water management facilities and the efficient use of water resources for agriculture. The transfer of water management facilities to state ownership and the creation of clear rules for their use should help ensure the stability of water supply and increase the level of responsibility of water users.

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