Swipe to right
Section navigation
Incidents of elevated and extremely elevated levels of water pollution and climate change phenomena result in declining quality and quantity of water resources in the country. Currently, half of all the nation's highest rated clean groundwater resources are located in the south, while the western regions of the country are experiencing significant clean water shortages. The situation with transboundary rivers is increasingly complex, with water evaluated at 13 of 15 monitoring stations failing to meet established cleanliness guidelines. Water There are 39,000 rivers and several thousand lakes in Kazakhstan. Deposits Identified groundwater resources amount to ~ 15 km year 3 / 2018 3 922 42 937 000 2019 4 286 43 032 950 In 2019, 1282 potable groundwater deposits were analyzed, of which 402 are exploited, with an overall volume of 1.12 m 3 per day per capita, or twice the amount required under current conditions. In 2018 and 2019, the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan working group on environmental protection and water quality of the Syr Darya River basin met and agreed to monitor water quality on the Syr Darya River and also agreed on a list of indicators for joint monitoring and acceptable measurement standards and methods. The U.S. Department of State prepared the "Program for International Cooperation and Joint Management of Water Resources of the Syrdarya River between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan" project. Within the framework of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection between the Governments of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the People's Republic of China, on November 27-29, 2019, the VIII meeting of the working group on rapid response to emergencies and prevention of pollution of transboundary rivers was held in Nur-Sultan . Th e Kazakhstan-Russia Commission for the Joint Use and Protection of Transboundary Bodies of Water has been established and is working, as are six working groups on the protection and use of water resources of transboundary basins of the Zhaiyk (Ural), Kigash, Karaozen and Saryozen, Tobyl, Yessil (Ishim), and Yertis (Irtysh) rivers. The sides exchange hydrological, water management, and hydrochemical information; cooperate on scientific and technological progress in the field of water management, integrated use, and operation of hydraulic structures; and pollution prevention, water depletion and factors of negative impact. CASPIAN SEA L. Balkhash Atyrau Uralsk Aktau Aktobe Zhaiyk R. Tobol R. Kostanay Petropavlovsk Nur-Sultan Yessil R. Karagandy Pavlodar Ust'-Kamenogorsk Yertis R. Syrdarya R. Kyzylorda Shymkent Taraz Ile R. Алматы ARAL SEA Zhaiyk-Caspian Basin Tobol-Torgai Basin Yessil Basin Nura-Sarysu Basin Yertis Basin Aral-Syrdarya Basin Shu-Talas Basin Balkhash-Alakol Basin Basin Water Management Boundary Oblast Administrative Bo undary Bodies of water of national importance include the Caspian Sea, Lake Balkhash, Lake Zaisan, the Alakol lake system, the Yertis River. Eight river basins are attributed to national lands. Streamflow of all Kazakhstan rivers is estimated at 100 km3 / year, 54 km3 of which are formed within the territory of the republic, and 46 km3 in neighboring countries. Aggregate Groundwater Deposits and Volume Volume, m3/day Deposits Volume, m3/day Classification of groundwater by purpose and volume, m3 / day Class Domestic use and drinking water supply (DW ) Industrial and Technical Water Supply (ITW) Irrigation (IW) Domestic use-drinking and industrial-technical water supply (DW, ITW) Domestic use-drinking water supply and irrigation (DW and IW) Complex use (DW, ITW, IW) 2018 15 642 000 2 224 000 18 925 000 1 255 000 4 167 000 725 000 2019 13 840 664 3 032 500 17 385 837 3 011 621 4 949 968 725 000 Water quality in bodies of water - 2019 Class 1 Suitable for all types of use. Highest rated. Kara Yertis, Yertis, Usolka, Shilik, Bayankol, Karkara, Turgen, Tentek, Urzhar, Bogen, and Aksu rivers. Ust- Kamenogorskoye Reservoir 11 rivers 1 reservoir Class 2 S uitable for all types of use except domestic use or as drinking water. Simple treatment methods can render the water fit for both ordinary domestic use and as drinking water. Ulbi Krasnoyarska Tekes , , , Sharyn Temirlik Zhamanty , , , Yrgaity Katynsu rivers. , and Buktyrma Kapshagay , , and Vyacheslavskoye reservoirs. 8 rivers 3 reservoirs Class 3 Not recommended for use in salmonoid fish hatcheries. Rigorous treatment methods are required for domestic use and as drinking water. For recreation, irrigation, industrial and other uses, this class is suitable for unrestricted use. Breksa, Glubochanka, Emel, Derkol, Silets, Ile, Kishi Almaty, Esentai, Ulken Almaty, Esik, and Kaskelen rivers. Bartogay and Kurty reservoirs. 11 rivers 2 reservoirs Non-standardized class. Pollutants present in this water are not rated below Class 3 guidelines resulting in bodies of water not assignable to Classes 4 or 5 Korgas, Lepsi, Aksu, Karatal, and Shu rivers. Lake Ulken Almaty. Samarkan and Kengir reservoirs. 5 rivers 1 lake 2 reservoirs Class 4 Suitable only for irrigation and industrial use. Extensive treatment methods are required for household use and as drinking water. Not recommended for recreation and tourism use. Yertis Buktyrma Ayagoz Tikhaya , , , , Zhaiyk Shagan lek Kargaly , , Ye , , Kosestek Aktasty Ulken Kobda Kara , , , Kobda Emba Saryozen Temir Or , , , , , Yrgyz Uy Karatorgay sil , , , Yes , Bettybulak Nura Kokpekty Yeginsu , , , , Sarykau Keles Badam Arys Katta , , , , - Bugun Syr Darya rivers Shalkar , . and , Sholak Esey Sultankeldy Kokai , , , and lakes. Zhogary Tobyl and Sergeyevskoye reservoirs. Koshim, Nura sil, and K Satpayev canals. -Yes . Aral Sea 30 rivers 6 lakes 2 reservoirs 3 channels Class 5 Suitable only in hydroelectric power generation, mining, and water transport. Not recommended for all other uses. Oba, Ayet, and Togyzak rivers. Sasykkol and Zhalanashkol lakes. Amankeldy, Karatomar, and Shardara reservoirs. 3 rivers 2 lakes 3 reservoirs <5 class Non-standardized class. Exceeds all class 5 guidelines. Lowest rated. Zhaiyk Sharonova Kigash Emba Shyngyrlau , , , , , Karaozen lek West Kazakhstan Oblast Oyil , ( ), , Ye Tobyl Obagan Zhelkuar Sarybulak Akbulak , , , , , Zhabay Kylshykty Shaga laly Aksu Kara Kengir , , - , , , Sokyr Sherubainura Sarysu Talgar Talas Assa , , , , , , Berikkara Aksu Karabalta Toktash rivers , , , . and Markakol Jasybai Sabyndykol Toraigyr Shalkar , , , , , Kopa Zerendy Burabay Ulken Shabakty Kishi , , , , Shabakty Shchuchye Sulukol Karasye Zhukey , , , , , Maybalyk Tekekol Katarol Lebyazhye Bilikol , , , , , Balkash Teniz Alakol lakes Shortandy , , . and and Tasotkel reservoirs. Caspian Sea. 28 rivers 22 lakes 2 reservoirs 1 sea <3 class In bodies of water where hazard class substances I and II are observed, the aggregate pollution indicator is calculated according to the maximum allowable concentration. Maximum allowable pollutant concentrations by ecological guidelines of Kazakhstan, 2018-2019, of transboundary waters in Kazakhstan River Shagan Ural O Yelek (WK ) Yelek (Aktobe) Tobyl Ayet Yertis Kara Yertis Emel Ile Tekes Shue Karabalta Talas Syr Darya 2,20 3,09 1,46 2,04 2,46 2,67 1,79 2,17 2,42 2,28 1,07 1,94 0,60 0,48 0,51 0,36 1,48 2,44 1,02 1,00 1,26 1,23 1,60 1,59 3,56 4,62 1,48 1,45 2,23 4,06 1,23 2,40 1,12 1,49 1,31 2,03 1,18 1,81 1,55 1,94 1,01 1,69 0,51 0,47 1,56 0,23 1,30 2,36 1,05 1,24 1,16 1,26 1,61 1,57 2,43 4,49 1,41 1,41 2,16 2,94 2018 year 2019 year Transboundary rivers of the Republic of Kazakhstan are in critical condition. In the spring and autumn of 2019, checks at 13 of 15 control points exceeded permissible concentrations of pollutants. In 2018, excessive concentrations were registered at 14 of 15 checkpoints in the spring and 13 of 15 in the autumn. Fresh water intake - 2018–2019, millions m3 The highest intake of naturally sourced water occurs in the Kyzylorda, Turkestan, Almaty, and Pavlodar oblasts. Percentage of water intake by economic sector - 2018–2019 Industry & manufacturing Domestic Agriculture Fish farms Other 22,3 3,6 10,7 63,3 0,1 Freshwater intake from open sources Freshwater intake from underground sources Total freshwater intake 22 522 1 020 23 542 2018 21 754 1 055 22 809 24 3,9 7 65 0,1 2019 Water usage by category - 2013–2019 - millions m3 Domestic freshwater usage exceeds 5% of the total; that is in comparison to 25% devoted to industrial use. The highest volume industrial water usage is observed in the sectors of thermal power generation, non-ferrous metallurgy, and the petroleum industry. The greatest overall usage is by the agricultural sector, which also experiences the highest water loss rate. Without a reduction in water loss, and assuming economic and population growth remain stable, by 2040, water intake needs will increase to 30 km2 annually. Water losses during transport - 2013-2019 - millions m3 Percentage of water loss during transport 60 50 40 Domestic use / drinking water Industry & Manufacturing Regular crop irrigation Spring runoff irrigation Agricultural usage Pasture flooding Fish hatcheries and farms Greenspace watering 873,1 5 235 9 511,1 321,3 180,4 94,2 18,6 11,1 791,6 5 307,7 10 029,3 270,8 152,6 105,2 23,5 9,8 741,2 5 350,7 9 491,2 290,7 167,4 93,5 23,9 11,1 715 5 230 9 019,6 330,5 185,5 94,5 35,7 14,6 2016 2017 2019 2018 Agriculture Public utilities Industry 4 000 3 500 3 000 2 500 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2 850 2 854,5 2 500,3 3 462 3 557 3 719 3 295 In 2019, safety testing of drinking water for radiation levels revealed irregularities in 398 of 4531 samples examined. In 2019, safety testing of water for drinking, recreation, tourism, and sports, 12% of samples did not meet chemical and sanitary standards and 4% of samples did not meet microbiological safety standards. Surface water quality control samples were drawn: - in 2018, at 389 locations on 139 bodies of water in 2019, at 412 locations on 141 bodies of water - . Percentages of total population supplied with drinking water from centralized providers. 2018 2019 Urban centers Rural centers Urban centers Rural centers 94,5 % 59,9 % 97,2 % 86,4 % Category I bodies of water administered by the Committee for Public Health Category II bodies of water administered by the Committee for Public Health Water samples examined for microbiological parameters Percentage of non- conforming microbiological samples Water samples examined for sanitary and chemical parameters Percentage of non- conforming samples for sanitary and chemical parameters 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 171 174 1 449 1 994 1 236 1 902 530 548 5,7 4 7,3 13 Aggregate of inspections for compliance and violation of water legislation 2018-2019 Groundwater monitoring stations - 2016–2019 Total chemical analyses of groundwater conducted - 2018–2019 To provide for the safe operation of water management facilities in 2017-2021, the reconstruction of 41 emergency reservoirs is envisaged. Freshwater reclamation and recycling - 2015-2019 - millions m3 In 2019, 125 B Tenge were allocated for the development of water supply and sanitation systems. Recycled water supply Reclaimed water supply 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 7 813,9 7 423 8 145,2 8 753 8 849 746,3 834 788,5 787 840 Inspections ( ) total 2018 2019 181 124 Violations (t otal ) Fines Issued Repaid (total) Tenge (thousand) (total) Citations issued total ( ) Tenge (thousand) 181 152 181 96 110 95 9 330 9 709,5 104 75 8 642 8 031,2 2016 2017 2018 2019 5 000 4 345 4 279 4 266 2018 2019 257 530 285 500 International cooperation РRegional Program - "Transboundary Water Resources Management in Central Asia". A grant program to increase clean drinking water access in the most remote rural settlements of the Aral Sea region and provide targeted socio-economic assistance to the most vulnerable segments of the population. Projects of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) Projects of the United Nations Development Program «"Capacity Development and Awareness Raising". The goal is to develop the potential of the Kazvodkhoz State Enterprise and its branches in Almaty and South Kazakhstan regions via change management and improvements to the management of irrigation water. "Demonstration of new approaches in the automation of the drinking water supply system and electronic billing system as a model and implementation of a pilot dispatch system in Taldykorgan, Almaty region." Summer school for emerging professionals on water resource management in cooperation with the Kazakh- German University and the Regional Research Network "Water in Central Asia". "Supporting and enhancing the capacity of the Chu-Talas Basin Council in cooperation with the Chu-Talas Water Management Commission". "Transboundary water cooperation - joint expert work of Kazakhstan and Russia on the Ural River basin" in cooperation with the Zhaiyk-Ural environmental movement and the Akimat of the West Kazakhstan region. Training on the training module on "Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)”. Projects of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) by the decision of the IFAS Board, the Action Plan of the Executive Committee was approved, the framework outlines prescribed activities including topical research expeditions of the Aral Sea. in the capital of Kazakhstan, the Akimat of the Kyzylorda region, UNDP and IFAS Publishing House in Kazakhstan organized the "Friends of the Aral Sea" symposium. January 30 February 19 2018 2018 in the city of Kyzylord , IFAS Publishing House in the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with GIZ and CAREC, the International Scientific and Practical Conference "The Aral Sea in the Course of Modern History” was held. May 24 2018 2018 the XII Summit of the heads of the founding states of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was held in the city of Turkmenbashi. August 24 in Bangkok, at the V session of the Committee on Environment and Development of ESCAP, a photo exhibition about the Aral Sea was held. It was organized by ifasA Publishing House in the Republic of Kazakhstan. November 21-23 a round table on "The Aral Sea and Space" was held in the city of Baikonur with the participation of cosmonauts from the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. March 14 2019 a working meeting was held at the office of IFAS Publishing House in the Republic of Kazakhstan with the managers of the World Bank project of the Regional Development and Restoration Program of the Aral Sea Basin in Kazakhstan. As a result of the meeting, the project proposals "Creation of a green belt", "Paleoecology of the Aral Sea region and the problems of changing the cultural landscape by ancient man and scientific and applied substantiation of the rehabilitation of the ecological system of the Great Aral Sea" were prepared. November 15-18 November 2019 2019 2019 April 12 the II International Conference on the Problems of the Aral Sea was held in St. Petersburg, Russia. the III session of the executive committee of the IFAS Regional Working Group on the development of a portfolio of projects for the IV Aral Sea Basin Program was held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Activities focused on water resource preservation 01 01 01 01 2018 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 March 19 24–25 January February 25 April 24 May 2-3 June 18-19 September 16-18 at the “Sharing Water” themed VIII World Water Forum, a parallel event was held on "Transboundary water cooperation for food, energy and environmental security in Central Asia". the VI EU-Central Asia High-Level Conference on Environment and Water Cooperation was held in Tashkent. at the first working group session on the chairmanship of the Republic of Kazakhstan of the Convention Bureau on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, recommendations were submitted for inclusion in the annotated agenda for the 28th session of the Bureau of the Meeting of the Parties to the Water Convention to be held February 27-28, 2019 in Geneva. a working meeting was held in the city of Nur-Sultan with the delegation from the Slovak Republic state enterprise Vodohospodarska Vystavba to discuss project assignments for the “Safety Training for hydraulic structures" program. the Regional Meeting on Dam Safety in Central Asia was held in Tashkent. in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, the IV session of the Regional Coordination Committee for the "Central Asian Dialogue on The Use of Multisectoral Financing Opportunities by Strengthening the Water- Energy-Food Nexus" project was held. the international conference on "Water Security: New Technologies, Strategies, Policies and Institutions" was held in Beijing. Source Body of Water Descriptions Incidents of elevated pollution Incidents of extremely elevated pollution 30 Total of Republic Nur-Sultan (Astana Oblast) 2018 26 2 2018 455 19 2019 661 2019 167 4 2018 - 2019 14 1 Akbulak River In 2019, in an effort to discover the reasons behind the exceedances, the Department of Ecology petitioned the city's Deputy Akim, Prosecutor's Office, Department of Emergency Situations, and the territorial Wildlife and Forestry Inspection office. U nscheduled inspections were conducted at the wastewater treatment facilities at Astana su Arnasy, SCE and Astana Tazalyk, LLP. In 2018, the inspection registered working violations at the Astana Tazalyk LLP facility. A fine was levied. Operations at the facility were not suspended. Sarybulak River 44 2 12 1 123 2 2018 2018 2019 2019 Akmola Oblast 2018 231 18 2019 251 In each case, the regional department of ecology conducted regular unscheduled inspections, determining that all incidents of pollutant exceedance were naturally occurring. Lake Sulukol 3 2018 Lake Katarkol 8 Lake Tekekol 8 Lake Karasye 5 In each case, the regional department of ecology conducted regular unscheduled inspections, determining that all incidents of pollutant exceedance were naturally occurring. 2019 Bettybulak River 4 Lake Zerenda 12 Lake Maybalyk 10 Lake Lebyazhye 4 2018 40 2019 31 2019 Incidents of surface and groundwater pollution are pre- existing. No current incidents of unlawful wastewater discharge or other sources of pollution were indicated. WKO Elevated pollution levels in the Derkol and Karaozen rivers and the Koshim Canal are associated with seasonal changes affecting water levels and subsurface currents. Samplings taken at the Zhaiyk River revealed that the exceedances were singular, non-repeating events. Zhaiyk River 2019 1 Derkol River 2 Koshimsky Canal 1 Karaozen River 2 Lake Shalkar 2 EKO 2018 68 5 2019 34 Pollution of the Breksa, Tikhaya, Ulbi rivers is due to pre-existing pollution sources: waste rock dumps and discharges from Kazzinc, LLP. Elevated pollution levels in Krasnoyarka and Glubochanka rivers are sourced to guideline violations at Vostoktsvetmet, LLP. To address pollution levels, the government conducted inspections and issued recommendations for the elimination of guideline violations. To reduce pre-existing pollution levels, the regional Akimat has issued repeated requests for funding to develop a monitoring program and to implement technical measures aimed at reducing the environmental impact of pre-existing waste. Breksa River 2018-2019 Krasnoyarka River Glubochanka River Ulbi River Tikhaya River 12 2 2018 2019 13 1 2 2018 2019 14 1 12 2018 2019 19 3 8 2018 2019 10 10 2018 2019 Karaganda Oblast The Oblast Department of Ecology conducted spot inspections of KaragandaSu LLP, Kapitalstroy LLP, Shakhtinskvodokanal LLP, the Saranskaya mine, ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC, and PTVS JSC. Violations of established environmental standards were registered at the facilities of all the inspected enterprises. Kara Kengir River 2018-2019 Sokyr River Sherubainura River Sarysu River 25 2018 21 19 2018 2019 23 18 2018 2019 12 1 2018 2019 2018 81 9 2019 81 43 9 2019 Kostanay Oblast 2018 2 1 2019 63 2 Jambyl Oblast 2019 14 Kyzylorda Oblast 2018 4 2019 2 1 2018 - 2019 4 Syr Darya River In 2018, four incidents of extremely elevated pollution levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were recorded in the Syr Darya River. Oblast Department of Ecology specialists were unable to determine the origin. No further exceedances were detected in subsequent samplings. In 2019, an excess of sulfate and copper and low dissolved oxygen were detected in Lake Tokpan. Lake Tokpan 2 4 2018 2019 Almaty Oblast 2019 7 2019 6 Korgas River All incidents of elevated pollution are natural occurrences; specifically, these are sourced to elevated atmospheric temperatures resulting in accelerated melt rates of glacial ice and increased precipitation in mountainous zones. Increased pollution levels are temporary, natural occurrences. Talgar River 1 Turkestan Oblast 2019 1 2019 1 Syr Darya River In 2019, excessive levels of calcium were recorded in the Syr Darya River. The source has not been identified. Monitoring efforts are continuing. Nura-Esil Canal 2018 -2019 2019 In each case, the regional department of ecology conducted regular unscheduled inspections, determining that all incidents of pollutant exceedance were naturally occurring. 2018 6 4 1 2019 2018 Yessil River 2 18 15 2019 2018 73 38 Lake Kishi Shabakty 2018 -2019 In each case, the regional department of ecology conducted regular unscheduled inspections, determining that all incidents of pollutant exceedance were naturally occurring. Lake Maybalyk 11 2 Lake Shchuchye Lake Ulken Shabakty 2019 2018 50 68 2019 2018 Lake Zhukey 14 2 2019 2018 Zhabay River 7 9 2018 -2019 In each case, the regional department of ecology conducted regular unscheduled inspections, determining that all incidents of pollutant exceedance were naturally occurring. 2019 2018 Aksu River 1 5 1 2019 2018 2019 2018 Kylshykty River 16 10 4 Chagalalı River 4 15 5 7 25 Река Елек Yelek River 2019 9 Elevated pollution levels of the Ayet, Karatorgai, Shortanda, Karatomar and Verkhne-Tobolsk rivers were singular, non- repeating events. Elevated pollution levels of the rivers Tobyl, Zhelkouar, and Uy are natural occurrences. 2018-2019 2018 2019 2019 2019 2019 Tobyl River 1 33 1 2019 1 14 Obagan River Reservoir Karatomar 1 Karatorgay River 3 3 Ayet River Elevated pollution levels of the rivers Tobyl, Zhelkouar, and Uy are natural occurrences. Elevated pollution levels of the Ayet, Karatorgai, Shortanda, Karatomar and Verkhne-Tobolsk rivers were singular, non- repeating events. 2018-2019 2018 2019 Zhelquar River 1 4 2019 2019 2 2 Togyzak River Shortandy River 2018 2019 1 1 Zhogargy Tobyl Reservoir Uy River Elevated pollution levels in the Talas River resulted from wastewater discharged from BM LLP. Damages were assessed and the company was fined. Additional sources of pollution remain undetermined. Pollution of Lake Bilikol is pre-existing, sourced to a 1981 emergency discharge of effluents from the control ponds of the defunct Khimprom plant. In 2018, a comprehensive inspection of the lake was conducted. 2018-2019 2018 2019 6 2 Lake Bilikol 2019 2019 2019 Berikkara River 1 1 Aksu River Karabalta River 2 Elevated pollution levels in the Talas River resulted from wastewater discharged from BM LLP. Damages were assessed and the company was fined. Additional sources of pollution remain undetermined. Pollution of Lake Bilikol is pre-existing, sourced to a 1981 emergency discharge of effluents from the control ponds of the defunct Khimprom plant. In 2018, a comprehensive inspection of the lake was conducted. 2018-2019 2018 2019 2019 2019 Talas River 1 2 2019 Sarıkau River 2 Shu River 2 Toktash River 2 2018 2019 Number of hydraulic structures in Kazakhstan - 2018–2019 2018 516 201 962 14 Ownerless Private State Communal Aggregate : 1 693 2019 10 Ownerless 230 Private 979 Communal 4 675 State Aggregate : 5 894 Activities of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea - 2018 - 2019 Regional meeting on strengthening intersectoral cooperation on water resources management and strengthening the role of water for sustainable development in cooperation with the International Water Assessment Center, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the regional "Regional Cooperation in the Field of Environment, Climate Change and Water Resources" (WECOOP) project. To combat the current environmental crisis and improve the situation in the Aral Sea basin, in 1993, the assembled heads of state of Central Asia created the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS). Transboundary rivers of Kazakhstan and Russia: Yertis (Class 1); Yessil, Uy, Shagan, Saryozen, Elek, Or, and Ulken Kobda rivers (Class 4); Tobyl, Ayet, and Zhaiyk rivers (Class 5); Togyzak, Obagan, Zhelkuar, Elek, Karaozen, Sharonova, and Kigash rivers (Class >5). Transboundary rivers of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: Syr Darya River (Class 4); Keles River (Class 5). Transboundary rivers of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: Karkara River (Class 1); Shu and Sarykau rivers (4th class); Talas, Assa, Aksu, Toktash, and Karabalta rivers (Class >5). Transboundary rivers of Kazakhstan and China: Kara Yertis and Bayankol rivers (Class 1); Tekes River (Class 2); Korgas and Emel rivers (Class 3); Ile River (Class >3). Annually in spring and autumn, the Kazakhstan Ministry of Energy's Institute of Nuclear Physics tests transboundary river water for radionuclides and other elements. Results indicate that the highest concentrations of uranium, molybdenum, strontium and barium – with nearly all measurements falling within norms - are observed in the rivers of southern and southeastern Kazakhstan. The sole instance of exceedance of norms - 49.9 μg/L of uranium, 1.66 times higher than normal – was recorded in the Karabalta River. Kazakhstan has 31 transboundary rivers (rivers located on the territory of two or more states); the water quality in these rivers was monitored at 35 points. Groundwater monitoring detected contamination at 277 sites. CASPIAN SEA L. Balkhash Atyrau Uralsk Aktau Aktobe Zhaiyk R. Tobol R. Kostanay Petropavlovsk Nur-Sultan Yessil R. Karagandy Pavlodar Ust'-Kamenogorsk Yertis R. Syrdarya R. Kyzylorda Shymkent Taraz Ile R. Алматы ARAL SEA Aggregate: river basin regulatory measures and their implementation - 2018–2019 implemented (percentage) Zhaiyk-Caspian Basin Tobol-Torgai Basin Yessil Basin Nura-Sarysu Basin Yertis Basin Aral-Syrdarya Basin Shu-Talas Basin Balkhash-Alakol Basin Basin Water Management Boundary measures (total) implemented (percentage) 2018 2019 measures (total) 2 100 5 100 52 100 48 100 34 100 2 50 11 100 10 100 42 82 27 26 0 100 1 100 1 100 0 0 5 100 0 0
This interactive report was created by the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the support of the European Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme, and Zoï Environment Network.