The issue of water security is one of the most acute in Central Asia. At the end of June, the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) published a new study, according to which 13% of the region’s population does not have access to safe drinking water. In addition, the existing water supply systems are seriously outdated, which entails almost 40% of water losses during irrigation and up to 55% of losses during drinking water supply. The problem of water scarcity also carries the risk of conflict and destabilization of the region, especially in the event of the intervention of external forces. Aizhan Skakova, Candidate of Geographical Sciences, member of the Public Chamber under the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, spoke about the causes of water scarcity in Central Asia and the measures taken by the countries of the region to combat it in an interview with Eurasia.Expert.
– Aizhan Amangeldievna, according to the EDB, 10 million people in Central Asia do not have access to safe drinking water. What are the main causes?
“The main reason for the lack of access to safe drinking water, as you know, is the increase in water consumption caused by the growth of the economy and population. Access to safe, quality drinking water and sanitation is a basic human need. Health, economy, and well-being directly depend on this.
Of course, this is a key need that will have to be solved in the near future, and this cannot be done without a systematic modern approach and proper funding. In Central Asia, the level of risk associated with the lack of access to safe and quality water is still quite high. One of the main challenges is the pollution of water sources, uneven distribution of water resources, climatic factors, as well as the efficiency of water resources management.
Our region is particularly vulnerable and is officially recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as one of the two “hot spots” of the planet where global change will have a particularly strong impact, significantly reducing the available water resources. This is potentially a conflict issue, but the countries of the region can follow the path of partnership and good neighborliness. These are the tasks that should be worked on in the first place today.
– What can help improve the situation?
– As for Kazakhstan, the country is developing a legislative framework in the field of water resources – a new Water Code. It will lay a solid foundation for the management, distribution, conservation and conservation of water resources, taking into account climate change, stricter requirements for the quality of water supply and sanitation, as well as new approaches to state control.
Of course, the growth in the volume of water intake for household needs is increasing in general, both in Kazakhstan and in the countries of the entire Central Asian region. This is due to the growth of population and needs, but still it does not make up the main share of water consumption. A significant part of consumption is occupied by agriculture, energy and industry. Countries should take real practical steps in water policy for sustainable economic development, improvement of living conditions and environmental protection, focused on modern challenges. This should contribute to the effective management of water resources.
It is important to prioritize, taking into account the current situation in the water supply system. If shortages, shortages and interruptions in water used to be associated mainly with rural areas, then in the realities of today, access to drinking water is often a problem for cities and megacities. The population is increasingly facing these problems. Cities are growing, the influx of population is increasing, the infrastructure cannot withstand the load and sometimes does not keep up with the growing needs. As a result, the high-quality provision of a vital resource is under threat.
– What are the long-term forecasts for water scarcity in Central Asia until 2050, and how do the countries of the region plan to cope with the growing demand for water resources, especially for irrigated agriculture?
– According to the World Bank, against the backdrop of population growth in Central Asia to 90 million people, water scarcity is expected to reach 25-30% by 2050. At the same time, losses during the transportation of water for irrigation are up to 50%. The efficiency of irrigation systems in the republic does not exceed 0.45-0.55. Only 16% of irrigated arable land uses drip irrigation technologies and sprinkler systems.
For Central Asia, as well as for Kazakhstan, the issues of irrigated agriculture today are closely related to water conservation, the use of modern techniques and technologies, and, as a result, to water resources management. The indicator of water use efficiency in Central Asian countries is lower than world indicators, and with an increase in population and growing needs, the situation will only become more complicated. Particular attention should be paid to optimized financing and innovation, which can go a long way towards overcoming the problems of high water losses.
The transition to water conservation in Central Asia has already been called the only solution. Its need is caused by climate change, an increase in the need for water, as well as the expected reduction in the flow of the Amu Darya river flow from Afghanistan.
– What is the current situation with the financing of drinking water infrastructure in Central Asia, and what steps are being taken to attract the necessary investments, especially in Kazakhstan?
“The countries of Central Asia do not stand still, and each creates its own conditions for risk prevention, proceeds from its national interests and needs, developing its own water policy. At the same time, interregional cooperation is actively going on and developing through already established joint institutions and with the support of international organizations. Currently, there are a number of projects that contribute to the involvement of the expert, scientific, civil society of Central Asian countries.
At the state level, the expediency of creating an International Water and Energy Consortium (IEC) is being discussed. Such a structure will make it possible to take into account the interests and needs, costs and benefits of all countries of the region on almost the entire range of issues: the division of water resources, the economic cost of water, the equivalent exchange of water and energy, the cost of services for the seasonal regulation of river flow by cascades of hydroelectric power plants, the joint operation of water and energy complexes of international importance.
Of course, a number of constructive measures are required to attract the necessary investments in the water sector of the Central Asian countries. First, it is possible to reduce the gap by more actively attracting financial resources from international financial organizations, multilateral development banks, and development agencies. The potential of these organizations to finance the sector in Central Asia is significant.
Changing the structure of ownership and management and creating the basis for the effective functioning of market relations in this area is also possible with the active use of public-private partnership in the water sector. The state and private structures will be able to cooperate more productively.
The market of services in the water sector will increase competition and efficiency of companies. Given the extremely low level of water tariffs in Central Asia, countries can partially increase tariffs to ensure the financial sustainability of water supply and sanitation enterprises. This will help stimulate investment in infrastructure development and improve the quality of services.
– What specific steps is Kazakhstan taking to reduce dependence on water imports from neighboring countries, and how will the construction of new reservoirs help solve this problem?
– In Kazakhstan, seven of the eight basins of the main rivers are transboundary. More than 40% of annual renewable surface water resources come from the territory of neighboring states. Water relations with neighboring countries are regulated by the intergovernmental Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Use and Protection of Transboundary Rivers.
According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan, the construction of new reservoirs will provide an opportunity to accumulate and save water resources. Experts and the scientific community of Kazakhstan are working on the selection and practical implementation of water-saving innovative technologies for water collection and management.
– What measures and initiatives can Russia offer to help Central Asia eliminate drinking water shortages and modernize water infrastructure?
– As an expert in the field of ecology, including water use issues, I believe that all relations between states should be built on the basis of respect for the legislative acts of these countries and be based on international documents, such as treaties, declarations and standards adopted and regulated by the UN. The Republic of Kazakhstan regulates the use of water taking into account and respecting the interests of neighboring states.
Water scarcity in Central Asia to reach 30% by 2030 – Kazakh geographer | Eurasia expert
