1. Groundwater Governance in the Aral Sea Basin of Central Asia : case study from the
Pritashkent aquifer
Introduction
Recent growing global population increased demand for drinking water supplies and food
production, which was met partially by the use of groundwater. The lack of informed management
of groundwater resources in many areas has led to an overexploitation of local and regional aquifers.
Other areas face shortage of water supply due to underdevelopment of available water resources. A
comprehensive understanding of the resource and its characteristics are the basis for decision
making and planning, and of special importance in the case of transboundary aquifers, shared
between two or more countries. Transboundary aquifer management requires the cooperation
between the various authorities in charge of groundwater management. UNESCO’s International
Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP) initiated a global programme - Internationally Shared
Aquifer Resources Management (ISARM) in order to facilitate the improved management of
transboundary groundwater resources. UNESCO-IHP has also contributed to the preparation of the
UN GA Resolution 63/124 on the law of transboundary aquifers, which offers guidance to States in
jointly managing their transboundary aquifers.
Within this context, UNESCO-IHP has initiated a close collaboration with the Global Environment
Facility (GEF) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) aimed at advancing
the assessment of transboundary aquifers globally and improving the management and governance
of transboundary groundwater resources. Within the scope of the GEF Transboundary Waters
Assessment Programme (TWAP), UNESCO-IHP has been entrusted with the execution of the
transboundary aquifers component and will carry out an indicator-based assessment of 166
transboundary aquifers in cooperation with a network of partners at national, regional and
international level. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has kindly agreed
to financially support the project “Groundwater governance in Transboundary aquifers” aiming indepth assessments of transboundary aquifers in Southern Africa, Central America and Central Asia.
The main objectives of the project are: improve knowledge and recognition of the importance and
vulnerability of transboundary groundwater resources; establish cross-border dialogue and
cooperation; develop shared management tools; facilitate joint management and better groundwater
governance focused on improving coordination, scientific knowledge, livelihoods, economic

2. development and environmental sustainability. The project includes the sub-regional activity on the
Prethashkent aquifer, shared between the Kazakhstan and the Uzbekistan, as the case study, aiming
the strengthening the scientific knowledge and the interstate cooperation.
In the framework of the preparation phase of the project, it was agreed that International Water
Management Institute (IWMI) will provide consultancy services on:
 Collecting the relevant documentation on the Pritashkent groundwater aquifer including data
regarding geological, hydrological and hydrogeological studies, current status of monitoring,
legal, institutional and socio-economic aspects, and information on relevant on-going
projects and initiatives;
 Preparing a preliminary description of the characteristics of the transboundary aquifer and
issues of concern;
 Identifying major stakeholders in the countries of the transboundary aquifer in the following
group: national and local governments, NGOs, academia, user associations, technical experts
and other, and preparing a short description of the role of each of them is playing in the
groundwater aquifer management;
 Preparing the list of persons that should be met during the first SDC-UNESCO mission and
making first contact with them in anticipation of the mission;
 Assisting the mission during the meetings and accompanying members of the mission;
 Identifying institutions which are responsible for the groundwater aquifer resources
management, including monitoring and preparing on their role;
 Providing a report.
It was agreed that IWMI will become the regional partner in the Central Asia in the main phase of
the project.
As follow up of this agreement, IWMI participated in the Regional Consultation on Groundwater
Resources Governance for the UNESCO Europe, North America and Central Asia Region which
was organized by UNESCO IHP, in The Hague, Netherlands, from 19 to 21 March, 2013. The
mission of the SDC-UNESCO to the Central Asia was postponed and the consultation meeting on
Pritashkent aquifer with participation of four experts of Uzbekistan and four experts of Kazakhstan
was organized by UNESCP IHP in Paris on 9-11 April, 2013.

3. This report provides summary of groundwater governance in Central Asia and current status of the
Pritashkent aquifer. The report is written by Dr. Akmal Karimov, IWMI Central Asia, Dr. Jamol
Djumanov, Head of department of the Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Dr.
Aslon Mavlonov, Deputy Chief of the Committee of Geology of Uzbekistan and Ms. Hilola
Masharipova, PhD student of Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Melioration,. The study is
supervised by Dr. Vladimir Smakhtin, Theme Leader of IWMI.
Regulation of groundwater use in the state of the Aral Sea basin
Within the Aral Sea basin, 339 aquifers are available with groundwater resources at 31.1 km 3
(CAWATER.info, 2013). In spite of significant renewable resources, only third part is used for
different uses, among which household water use makes 42%, agricultural water use – 32%,
Groundwater use in the Aral Sea basin
extraction for drainage purposes 14% and industrial water use – 10% (Figure 1).
Kazakhstan
GWR = 1.8 km3
GWE = 0.42 km3
Other
3%
HWU
10%
Ind. WU
29%
Kyrgyzstan
GWR = 0.86 km3
GWE = 0.40 km3
DW
13%
IWU
14%
HWU
46%
Agr. WU
76%
House.
WU
68%
Turkmenistan
GWR = 3.36 km3
GWE = 0.46 km3
AWU
33%
IWU
8%
Rangelands
1%
O
1%
Tajikistan
GWR = 6.65 km3
GWE = 0.99 km3
Dewatering mines
7%
Drain.W
22%
House.WU
34%
Agr.WU
56%
IWU
9%
House.WU
42%
Uzbekistan
GWR 18.5 km3
GWE = 5.43 km3
Agr. WU
25%
Ind. WU
9%
Figure 1. Groundwater use in the Fergana Valley
This under-development of groundwater resources is the consequence of the legal and institutional
environment, when canal water is supplied free of charge to water users. Existing legal and

4. institutional environment prioritizes groundwater use for household needs and restricts for
agricultural water use. Groundwater supply plays major role in household water supply in the
downstream countries, and in less extent in the upstream Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan having
excessive surface water. At the same, there is significant potential for groundwater use in
agriculture, facing shortage of water in many parts of the region. This potential is realized by
farming communities. Thus, the rapid groundwater development for agricultural purposes indicated
outside of canal commands, in the areas, with temporal or permanent water shortage. Farmers of the
Fergana Valley within Uzbekistan and Tajikistan move from surface water to groundwater for
irrigation of orchards, grapevines and vegetables.
Preserving groundwater for future household needs allows maintaining low concentrations of
dissolved solids in aquifers, at the same time, since the aquifers are full, this policy leads to salinity
and waterlogging issues on the irrigated lands, high return flow and increasing salinity of the river
flow in the midstream and the downstream. As consequence over 2.0 million (M) of the irrigated
land have moderate or high salinity levels, the salinity of Syrdarya River and Amudarya River in the
downstream exceeds 1,500 mg/l. At the same time, high inter-linkage between the surface water and
the groundwater is to be accounted in groundwater development plans, which have to include the
groundwater governance aspect. Figure 2 illustrates interrelations between different stakeholders in
Institutions involved in groundwater typical for the
groundwater administration in the Uzbekistan; the scheme isgovernance other states of the Aral
in Uzbekistan
Sea basin.
Nature Protection
Committee
State
Control
Permits
Ministry of Agriculture and
Water Management
HG. Dep.
GW Monitor.
Use issues
Committee of
Groundwater
Geology
Pump station
dep: Well M.
Local
Authorities
Payment for
drinking
water;
Payment for
electricity
Reg. Stations
GW
monitoring
Services
Allocation
Payment
Small business, GW
development
of GW
Reg. Centers,
GW develop.
Farm Unions, WUAs
Figure 2. Institutions involved in groundwater governance in Uzbekistan

5. According the Water Law of Uzbekistan (The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on “Water and
Water Use”, 1993), for any groundwater extraction using pumps users have to obtain permits, called
permissions for special water use. Users receive permits from the State Committees of Nature
Protection. To get the permissions, groundwater resources have to be allocated, which is to be done
by the regional hydrogeology departments of the Committee of Geology. The installation of a well
has to be permitted, and the design of the well has to be specified by the same agency. The
hydrogeology departments have responsibilities to monitor the groundwater and estimate its
resources, quantity and quality. The Committee of Nature Protection has mandate for monitoring of
use for both, groundwater and surface water. The Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources
accounts groundwater use for agricultural purposes, and monitors depths and quality of shallow
groundwater within the irrigated lands. At the same time, this agency is responsible for future
planning the State investment into surface and groundwater development for agricultural purposes.
Differences in groundwater regulations in the countries of the Aral Sea basin are given in Table 1.

7. Table 1. Regulation of groundwater use in Central Asia states
Kazakhstan1
1
Water is the property of
the
Kyrgyzstan2
Tajikistan3
Turkmenistan4
Uzbekistan5
State (article 4)
State (article 4)
State (article 5)
State (article 4)
State (article 3)
Basin& Territorial
(article 6)
Basin/State (article 5,
11)
is based on the
combination of basin,
and administrativeterritorial governance
principles (article 9)
Territorial (basin)
(article 102)
Basin/territorial (article
111)
Right/Permit based
(article 24)
State committee of
Geology and Protection
of Mineral Resources
(article 34)
Right/Permit based
(article 34, 35)
Right/Permit based
(article 38, 43, 44)
Permit based (article 23,
24)
Right/Permit based
(article 32)
Local authorities
by Nature protection
committee (article 33)
Ministry of Water
Resources (article 24)
Nature protection
committee (article 8)
2
Water administration
3
Water use
4
Permission for
groundwater use issued
by
5
Water use permanent or
temporary
permanent & temporary
(article 37)
temporary (article 27,
23, 29, 34)
permanent & temporary
(article 39)
permanent & temporary
(article 28)
permanent & temporary
(article 31)
short term, years
3
up to 15 years
3
3
3
long term, years
25
50 years
25
25
20
Payment for water use
Payment for services of
water withdrawal and
supply, full cost,
subsidies (article 49)
for water supply
services (article 40)
Use of water resources
and services (article 31)
Payment is indicated
(not clarified for what)
(article 29)
for WUA services only
(article 35, 106)
Use of groundwater of
drinking quality for
other needs
Not allowed, except in
some cases when there
are no other sources,
permission can be
received (article 53)
not stated
Prohibited except in the
case when there are no
surface water source and
there are sufficient
underground water of
drinking quality (article
56)
Not allowed, except in
the case when there are
no surface water sources
and there are sufficient
underground water of
drinking quality (article
42)
May not be used, except
in the regions where
sufficient sources of
surface water are not
available (article 43)
6
7

8. 8
International Water
agreements has priority
(article 123, 95, 119)
Water Code of RK has
priority (article 7, 98)
Water Code of RT has
priority (article 3)
International Water
agreements has priority
(article 113)
International Water
agreements has priority
(article 119, 4, 83, 84,
91)
9
Transboundary Water
courses recognized?
Recognized
Not recognized
Not recognized
recognized (article 82)
recognized (article 2.1,
83, 84)
10
1
Priority has
International agreements
or national water Law?
Is convention on
transboundary water
courses signed?
Yes, on 11.01.1996
No
No
Yes, in process, not
declared yet officially
Yes, on 4.09. 2007
The Water Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 1993; 2The Water Code of the Kyrgyz republic, 2005; 3The Water Code of the Republic of
Tajikistan. 2001; 4The Water Code of the Republic of Turkmenistan. 2004; 5The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on “Water and Water
Use”. 1993

10. Pritashkent aquifer: needs for cooperation
Study area
Pritashkent artesian aquifer, selected for the studies, is the transboundary aquifer located on the
territory of the Uzbekistan and the Kazakhstan (Figure 3). The smaller south-eastern part of the
aquifer is located in the Tashkent province of Uzbekistan, and the bigger, the north-west part in the
Chymkent province of Kazakhstan. The artesian aquifer has geographic coordinates of 41.00 o42.80o northern latitude and 68.00o-69.45o eastern longitude. The study area is highly populated,
especially on the Uzbek part. There are located many cities and towns, such as Tashkent, Chirchik
and Yangiyul on the Uzbek part, and Saryagach, Chardara, Abay, Tobolino, Leninskoe, Fogodevka,
Darbaza and Djilga on the Kazakh part. The main ethnic groups of the population are Uzbeks,
Kazakhs, Tatars and Russians.
Figure 3. Location of the Pritashkent aquifer

11. By geomorphology, the area is divided into three zones: mountain zone, foothills and valleys. As a
transition zone between the foothill zone and the valley, Pritashkent steppes form buffer zone
between the foothill zone and the valley. The mountain zone is characterized by high-billowy
terrain. It consists of the southern slopes of the foothill Beltau, Kazy-Kurt and ravines of the western
Tien-Shan, including mountains ridges of Karzhantau, Ugam, Chatkal, Kuramin, mountains of
Magol-Tau and Angren plateau. These ridges surround the study area from the north, northeast, east
and south-east. The mountains characterized by: almost parallel spread with northeastern stretches;
asymmetric structures with low slopes to the north and steep to the south; reducing absolute altitudes
in south-western direction from 3000-4000 meter above sea level (masl) to 800-1000 masl;
represented by paleozoic magmatic rocks.
The foothill areas represented by undulating plains, surrounding the mountains have the width
varying from 0.5 to 5.7 km, and altitudes above 400 masl. The plains are formed by lateral cones of
temporary watercourses, streaming down from the surrounding ridges. These cones gradually merge
with the alluvial sediments of ancient terraces of the main watercourses. The surface of foothill
plains has low slopes (up to 0.005) in the direction of flow of the rivers. The width of the river
channels varies from 3-7 m to 30-40 m and sometimes makes 70 m. The valley including the lower
reaches of the Angren River, Chirchik River, Keles River, Kuruk-Keles River and right bank of the
Syrdarya River has altitudes at 400 masl or less. This zone has smooth relief, except river channels
forming depressions of 80-100 m wide and 10-25 m deep. Highlands of Pritashkent steppe,
occupying the central and north-western part of the territory have altitudes of 400-560 masl.
The climate of the study area is sharp continental, dry. The average annual temperature for the
period of 1950-2000 is 11.50C. The average monthly temperature in January, the coldest month is 9.9оС and in July, the hottest month is +27.8°C. Absolute maximum air temperature in summer
reaches up to +42.60C (1973), and the absolute minimum temperature in January falls to -30.30
(1969). The mean annual relative humidity is 60.3%. The dry season is typical for July-August,
when the value of the relative humidity drops to 36-39%. Wind direction within the study area is
northeastern and speed is 2.8-3.3 m/s.
The main rivers in the study area are the Chirchik, the Keles and the Kuruk-Keles. There are also the
Syrdarya River and the Ahangaran River crossing the western and south-eastern parts of the study
area, respectively. Each of these rivers has numerous tributaries, supplying the rivers, and off-takes

12. in the form of irrigation canals and irrigation ditches. The Syrdarya River originates in the Fergana
Valley by melting snowfields and glaciers. The flow of the river is fully regulated by Toktogul,
Kairakum and Chardara reservoirs located in sequential order along the river channel. Maximum
average monthly flow of the river is in May and June from 1400-1800 m3/s. The salinity of the river
flow has seasonal variations. Total dissolved solids vary from 900-1300 mg/l in fall and winter and
lower to 500 – 700 mg/l in summer. The Keles River, originating on the southern flank of the KazyKurt Mountains, crosses the study area from east to west. Its total length is 220 km and the
catchment area is 2200 km2. The main source of the river flow is precipitation and, to a lesser extent,
groundwater.
Method and data
The description of the Pritashkent aquifer is based on archival data and technical reports collected
by the local consultants from the Data Base of the Institute of the Hydrogeology and Engineering
Geology, Uzbekistan. The technical reports include the Assessment of the groundwater resources of
the Pritashkent aquifer carried out in different years by the Institute of Hydrogeology and
Engineering Geology.
Description of the Pritashkent aquifer
The geological structure on the territory of Uzbekistan consists of geological formations of
sedimentary, magmatic and metamorphic genesis from Proterozoic to Quaternary deposits. In
mountainous areas, Proterozoic and Paleozoic rocks appear on the surface, and in the vast plains and
intermountain hollows they lay below Mesozoic and the Cenozoic rocks. Underground mineral
water in Uzbekistan is exploited from Neogene-Quaternary, Paleocene and Cretaceous deposits.
Earlier studies of the Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology show that mineral water is
mainly associated with the Cretaceous-Neogene sediments, Quaternary and Palaeozoic formaitons.
The Pritashkent
aquifer is associated with Paleozoic floor, which is made of thick Cenozoic
deposits containing mineral water. The formations are represented by sand-clay differences of
Cretaceous deposits (Cenomanian layer) (Figure 4). There are 20 wells, extracting water from this
aquifer operate within Tashkent city and its surrounding area.

13. Figure 4. The hydrogeological cut along the Pritashkent aquifer
The mineral groundwater of the Pritashkent aquifer has no specific components, low-saline, thermal,
nitrogenous, calcium hydrocarbonate-sulfate-chloride, sodium, has therapeutic properties for
internal and external uses in the form of mud-baths and other procedures. The depth of the mineral
groundwater ranges from 815 m (Chernyavka village, 25km north of the city of Tashkent) to 2200 m
(site “Tekstilkombinat”). In average, the roof of the Cenomanian layer within Tashkent city lies at
the depths of 1160 m (site Nazarbek) - 1640 m (site Lunacharsky).
Mineral water of the Cenomanian layer is known as “Tashkent mineral”. At the beginning of the
exploitation period of the aquifer, the water had a high excessive pressure, reaching 150 m or more
above the ground (Figure 5). But with time (over 40 years) the pressurized level has dropped and in
some wells now, it is below the surface of the ground (wells № 10/81 “Botany”, well №7
“Chinabad” and well №8 “Lunacharsky”) (Figure 6). These days, water from these wells is supplied
to the users by pumping.

14. Figure 5. Drawdown of the water table in the Pritashkent aquifer since 1970
Groundwater head, m
60
40
20
0
-20
-40
-60
-80
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
Figure 6. Water table drawdown at the well 8 on the territory of the Uzbekistan
In the southeastern part of Pritashkent aquifer, Upper Cretaceous deposits lie at a depth of 2.5 km.
To the west from the Chikrchik fault water bearing deposits of Neogene spread at depths of 1050 m
below the soil surface. Most part of the Pritashkent aquifer formed in the Lower Cretaceous
deposits, represented by clay differences with the interlayer of sandstone, having low conductivities.
These deposits were found at depths of 1330 m (site ‘Dendro’) to 2030 m (site ‘Karakamysh’). The
wells at these sites have the yield varying from 2 to 20 m3/d. Mineral water is used for external

15. procedures, except for the water produced at the site Zangi-Ata, where the salinity is less than 4000
mg/l and is used as heating water in the hospitals.
Sharing the water use
The resources of the aquifer were estimated at 40.59 l/s. According to the agreement (Protocol N
9179 dated on 18.02.1983, State Commission for Reserves, USSR) signed during the Soviet time,
Uzbekistan has right to extract 23.65 l/s and Kazakhstan 16.94 l/s. The list of water users from the
Pritashkent aquifer on the Uzbek side is given in Table 2. The list of the water users is preliminary
and reflects the situation with groundwater use before 1990 and after within the territory of
Uzbekistan.
Table 2. List of the water users from the Pritahskent aquifer on the territory of Uzbekistan
(Data of the Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology)
Well
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Well 1
Well 3
Well 5
Well 6
Well 7
Well 8
Well 1/78
8
Well 11
9
10
Well 7
Well 6
11
12
13
14
Well 13
Well 3
Well 7
Well 1-5
15
Well 7
16
17
18
Well 11
Well 1-76
Well 13
Water user
Sanatorium Semashko
Sanatorium Semashko
Hospital 2
Sanatorium Semrug
Sanatorium Zangiota
Sanatorium Fedorovich
Sanatorium of the
Ministry of Railroads
The Institute of
vegetables
Sanatorium Chinabad
Sanatorium of Ministry
of Health Protection
Sanatorium Botanika
Sanatorium Turon
Sanatorium Chatkal
Sanatorium
Tashminvody (private)
Joint venture Montella
(private)
Hospital 1
Company Shirin suv
Company Kibrai
Water
allocated
l/s
2.92
2.7
0.35
1.2
2.85
2.31
1.45
Head in
1983
m
+195
+195
+56.8
+77.5
+135
+189.6
+193
Head in
2007
m
-18.5
-6.0
+56.8
+6.0
+60.0
+9.2
+10.0
Yield of well
0.5
+87.9
+2.2
0.2
2.31
1.74
+170.5
+191.0
-6.0
0.40
2.35
2.85
1.74
»+138.0
+47
+37.2
+168
-64.7
-4.4
+8.0
+6.0
0.85
0.75
0.80
0.60
1.2
-21
0.5
0.40
2.40
+49.2
+10
+13
+49.2
+1.70
+4
0.60
0.54
0.30
l/s
0.80
0.60
0.20
0.80
1.5
0.7
4.5

16. The Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology carried special studies to estimate the water
table drawdown and estimate groundwater extraction volumes.
After 1990s, according to data of the Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology (data
requiring verification), there is indicated the installation of private wells within the Pritashkent
aquifer on the territory of Kazakshtan. Owners of the wells do not have permits for the groundwater
extraction and new wells are not registered. In many cases, the water from the Pritashkent aquifer
is used for heating purposes, especially green houses during cold winter seasons. This could be the
main reason of water table drawdown in the Pritashkent aquifer.
Conclusions
The data collected during the preliminary phase of the “Groundwater governance in transboundary
aquifers” project indicated water table drawdown in some parts of the Pritashkent aquifer by 100 m
and more. This highlights the importance of the transboundary groundwater cooperation and
collaboration between the Kazakhstan and the Uzbekistan. The implementing the main phase of the
project will assist in establishing close interstate collaboration, weakened during the last years. The
studies in the main phase could be focused on: (1) accounting of groundwater extractions, the
efficiency of use and other factors, causing the groundwater depletions; (2) modeling the
groundwater to project future of the aquifer under no-cooperation and cooperation scenarios, and (3)
activities related to promoting the groundwater cooperation.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the Swiss Development Agency (SDC) for providing financial support
for this study under the “Groundwater Governance in Transboundary Aquifers” project. The authors
would like to express their thanks to Mrs. Alice Aureli, Chief Groundwater Section, IHP, UNESCO,
Mr. Holger Treidel, IHP, UNESCO and Dr. Neno Kukuric, Director of the IGRAC- International
Groundwater Center for kind collaboration and promoting transboundary aquifer studies in Central
Asia.

17. References:
CAWATER.Info. 2013. Aral Sea Basin. Groundwater: reserves and use. http://www.cawaterinfo.net/aral/groundwater_e.htm (the last accessed on 22.04.2013).
The Water Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 1993. http://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/kaz5256E.pdf
(the last accessed on 22.04.2013).
The Water Code of the Kyrgyz republic, 2005. http://www.cawater-info.net/bk/water_law/pdf/
water_code_kyrgyz_en.pdf (the last accessed on 22.04.2013).
The Water Code of the Republic of Tajikistan. 2001. http://www.cawater-info.net/bk/water_law/pdf
/water_code_tajik_en.pdf (the last accessed on 22.04.2013).
The
Water
Code
of
the
Republic
of
Turkmenistan.
2004.
http://faolex.fao.org/cgi-
bin/faolex.exe?rec_id=043942&database=faolex&search_type=link&table=result&lang=eng&fo
rmat_name=@ERALL (the last accessed on 22.04.2013).
The
Law
of
the
Republic
of
Uzbekistan
on
“Water
and
Water
http://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/uzb5255E.pdf (the last accessed on 22.04.2013).
Use”.
1993.