In a recent government session, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov reported strides in the modernisation of Kazakhstan’s water sector. He outlined the government’s plans to implement 98 projects in 2025, with a total investment of KZT 173.7bn ($354mn), marking a 73% increase from the previous year.
The projects align with Kazakhstan’s long-term vision for the water sector, as outlined in two key documents adopted in 2024: the Concept of Water Resources Management System Development for 2024-2030 and the Comprehensive Water Sector Development Plan for 2024-2028. These documents focus on large-scale modernisation, with 160 diverse measures involving investments from national, local, and extra-budgetary sources.
Key highlights of the 2025 water sector projects include:
- Reservoir Construction and Reconstruction: Four new reservoirs (Akmola, Kalguty, Karauziak, Bolshoi Uzen) will improve water management and prevent flooding.
- Canal Modernisation: 3,400+ km of irrigation canals will be modernized with digital integration across six regions.
- Water Supply Improvements: 12 water pipeline projects will provide quality drinking water to 153 villages (423,000 people), with 52 settlements gaining centralized water access.
- Sustainable Water Management: These initiatives aim to save 10bn cubic meters of water by 2030, enhancing water security and sustainability.
Minister Nurzhigitov highlighted the importance of the project funding, including contributions from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), which total KZT 30.9bn ($63mn). The funding will also support the modernisation of key facilities such as the Turan Su and Almatyoblvodkhoz enterprises. The plans for 2025 are part of a broader strategy that aims to modernise Kazakhstan’s water infrastructure, ensuring the country can meet its growing needs while mitigating environmental risks. By the end of the year, more than 1,900 kilometers of irrigation canals will be put into operation, enhancing the irrigation system across 256,000 hectares of land.
