Kazakhstan introduces five-year water efficiency plans for businesses amid nationwide conservation drive

Kazakhstan is introducing mandatory five-year water efficiency planning for enterprises as part of a broader national strategy to improve water conservation, reduce industrial consumption and strengthen long-term environmental sustainability, reports Kazinform, a partner of TV BRICs.

The new measures are being implemented under updated water management rules designed to encourage businesses to adopt modern technologies, reduce losses and expand water reuse systems. A key supporting initiative, Smart Water Zone, has been launched to help organisations lower costs and improve efficiency in water usage.

According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Kazakhstan aims to achieve significant water savings by 2030 through the large-scale adoption of advanced technologies and stronger engagement from the private sector.

Agriculture remains the largest consumer of water, accounting for around 60 per cent of total usage. However, the sector has already shown steady progress in adopting water-saving solutions. The area covered by such technologies has expanded significantly in recent years and is expected to reach 1.3 million hectares by 2030.

In the industrial sector, authorities have confirmed that the transition period for new requirements is nearing completion. By 2027, all enterprises will be required to develop structured five-year plans focused on reducing water consumption, monitoring losses and introducing recycling and reuse systems.

Officials note that Kazakhstan has approximately 5,600 medium and large enterprises, with a small number of major companies accounting for the vast majority of industrial water use. These key consumers will be prioritised under the new planning requirements.

Alongside regulatory changes, the government is promoting practical water-saving measures across public infrastructure. New construction standards for schools, kindergartens and social facilities will require the installation of water-efficient systems such as sensor-based taps and low-consumption flushing technologies before buildings can be commissioned.

Participating organisations will receive independent assessments of their water use, along with recommendations for efficiency improvements and access to best practices in resource management. The data collected will be used to develop analytical reports identifying sectoral trends and regional patterns in water consumption.

Officials say the initiative will provide a clearer picture of industrial water use across Kazakhstan and help shape targeted policies to reduce overall consumption and improve efficiency.

As part of the programme’s launch, a cooperation agreement has been signed between water resource analysts and urban sustainability experts to support methodological development and implementation of water-saving practices.