In recent years, water issues have surged to the forefront of concerns in Central Asia, catalyzing collaborative efforts to confront these pressing challenges head-on. Fueled by climate change and exponential population growth, the region now grapples with a mounting water crisis of unprecedented proportions. The article delves into the multifaceted water issues confronting Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan. From dwindling water resources to formidable infrastructure hurdles, each country faces a distinct yet interconnected set of obstacles, underscoring the imperative for immediate action and joint solutions.

Javlon Vakhabov, Director of the International Institute for Central Asia (IICA), recently convened a meeting with Lee Chae Ku, Director of the Central Asia Branch Office of the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) to address the pressing water challenges in Central Asia, IICA reported.

The meeting saw an exchange of insights on the current status of water resources and the impact of climate change in the Central Asian region. Both parties underscored the critical need to enhance the efficiency of water resource utilization amid diminishing water availability.

Highlighting K-Water's endeavors in Uzbekistan, Lee Chae Ku detailed the implementation of five major projects aimed primarily at enhancing drinking water supply, sanitation infrastructure, professional capacity building for water supply operators, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and addressing challenges related to transboundary water resources.

Among these projects is the support provided for the development of the water supply system in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the enhancement of water supply and sanitation in Tashkent. Lee Chae Ku expressed K-Water's readiness to offer technical assistance in sharing South Korea's best practices in water resource management, water quality monitoring, flood prevention, and innovative technical solutions in hydropower station construction.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of advanced personnel training in water resources management. K-Water's initiatives, including organizing specialized courses for ministries and agencies and conducting an innovative competition in integrated water resources management and green energy among Uzbekistan's university students, were highly commended and endorsed.

As a result of the deliberations, an agreement was reached to maintain regular communication channels for ongoing exchange of experiences and perspectives on areas of mutual interest.

K-Water, renowned for its global involvement in water projects, has embarked on numerous initiatives worldwide since it participated in the Fenhe River Project in 1994. With 76 completed projects across 30 countries, K-Water's current efforts include 11 projects in nine countries, totaling KRW 2,420 trillion ($1.8bn). These projects span diverse regions, including Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan, underlining K-Water's commitment to addressing water challenges on a global scale.

Water Issues in Central Asia

Uzbekistan

In 2023, Uzbekistan was ranked 25th among 164 countries facing severe water stress. This situation is projected to deteriorate due to the country's steadily growing population, expected to reach 44.4 mn by 2070. This rapid population growth is anticipated to worsen the existing water scarcity of 13-14%, escalating it to a critical level of 44-46%. Consequently, Uzbekistan's vital agricultural and industrial sectors are poised to suffer severe consequences.

As per reports from the World Bank, Uzbekistan encountered substantial freshwater losses in 2018, totaling 469 mn cubic meters, equivalent to approximately 32% of the total drinking water volume produced. This loss is alarming, particularly in light of adverse forecasts for future water supply in Central Asia, with Uzbekistan facing heightened vulnerability.

Experts caution that by 2050, Uzbekistan could witness a decrease in streamflow of 2-5% in the Syr Darya River basin and 10-15% in the Amu Darya River basin, exacerbating the water scarcity issue. The repercussions of this shortage extend beyond agriculture, posing risks to the hydropower industry. The productivity of hydropower plants in certain regions may plummet to as low as 20% by 2050, presenting challenges to Uzbekistan's energy sector.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan relies heavily on water resources, with only 2.8% of its land covered by water, while arid areas constitute two-thirds of its territory. A significant portion of its water supply originates from neighboring countries, underscoring the importance of managing transboundary rivers. Projections indicate that by 2030, the volume of available freshwater may decline dramatically, potentially reaching just 23 km3, comparable to the annual consumption rate.

The capital city, Astana, faces a water crisis that exposes disparities in resource access within the urban population. Since May 2023, protests against water shortages have erupted in Astana, with residents of two apartment buildings even blocking roads to draw attention to the issue. These protests coincided with extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 38-40 degrees Celsius. The press service of "Astana su arnasy" (Water Management Service of Astana) has been updating a list of districts and households experiencing water cuts since May 23.

Explaining the situation, the company cited limitations in the design capacity for drinking water production due to the city's population growth and intensive development. Consequently, starting from March 28, 2023, the enterprise implemented measures to regulate water pressure and establish a scheduled release. The city's water management authorities also noted that private residents often use drinking water for watering green spaces, exacerbating the water shortage issue.

Kyrgyzstan  

In Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, residents endured days without access to potable water, sparking widespread discontent and prompting protests that saw the capital's main roads blocked. City authorities are implementing measures to address the crisis, urging the population to conserve water in daily activities. This includes refraining from using drinking water for watering household gardens and plots and urging businesses reliant on significant water usage to temporarily cease operations.

Bishkek is among several key cities in Central Asia facing mounting criticism over groundwater management practices, particularly during the summer months when water levels tend to decrease.

As per the World Bank, over 300 villages in Kyrgyzstan lack access to a drinking water supply system, while an additional 600 villages face challenges due to deteriorating water infrastructure or stalled pipeline installations. In total, approximately 1,800 settlements across the country are affected, with around one million Kyrgyzstanis requiring assistance to access clean drinking water. Currently, 40% of the population relies on water from natural sources such as ditches, rivers, canals, springs, and imported sources.

Water Issues in Tajikistan

Although Tajikistan boasts abundant water resources, its water infrastructure necessitates substantial investment. With only around 55% of the population having access to safely managed water supply services, Tajikistan has the lowest coverage in Central Asia. Disparities between urban and rural areas are significant, with only 24% of the rural population benefitting from piped water supply services. Moreover, existing piped infrastructure is often outdated, in poor condition, and lacks the capacity to accommodate population growth.

Decades of underinvestment and inadequate maintenance have posed significant challenges to Tajikistan's water supply sector. Estimates suggest that the country will require a minimum investment of $800mn by 2030 to ensure universal access to safe water supply services. Currently, Tajikistan allocates a mere 0.2% of its GDP from its annual budget to water supply and sanitation, which is considerably lower than the average of 1.5–2% in Europe and Central Asia.

Turkmenistan 

In Turkmenistan, the Amu Darya River serves as a crucial resource supporting agricultural and industrial activities. Utilizing water from the Amu Darya, the extensive Karakum Canal facilitates irrigation and navigation across a vast expanse of approximately 1,300 kilometers, sustaining roughly 1.25 million hectares of irrigated land. Given the predominantly arid nature of the country's landscape, water holds immense importance for its population.

However, the operation of the canal and fluctuations in the water levels of the Amu Darya pose ongoing challenges that directly affect land productivity. This, in turn, impacts the government's commitment to meeting agricultural targets. Farmers are provided with irrigation water, fertilizers, seeds, and agricultural machinery in exchange for pledging to produce specific crop quantities at predetermined prices. An example of these challenges arose in June 2023 when farmers in Lebap Velayat struggled to irrigate cotton fields due to insufficient water reaching the area.

Cotton cultivation plays a significant role in Turkmenistan's agricultural sector, similar to Uzbekistan, constituting approximately 10% of the country's GDP. Astonishingly, 91% of all water resources are allocated to sustain cotton production. With climate change exacerbating water scarcity, any decrease in water supply could have widespread repercussions on both countries' agriculture and food security. Therefore, both nations face significant uncertainties and challenges in managing their shared water

Afghanistan  

In Afghanistan's desert landscape, a significant abundance of water resources remains untapped. Remarkably, more than 80% of the country's water originates from the towering Hindu Kush mountains, which reach elevations exceeding 2000 meters. These snow-covered peaks act as a natural reservoir, supplying continuous water flow to major rivers year-round as the snow melts during the summer months.

Despite this natural bounty, Afghanistan faces significant challenges in providing uninterrupted access to adequate water for consumption due to a glaring lack of water supply infrastructure. The country's prolonged conflict and occupation have impeded the development of essential hydraulic structures and canals necessary for meeting the population's water needs. In response to these challenges, the Qosh Tepe Canal project has emerged as a critical initiative aimed at alleviating water scarcity in semi-desert regions of Afghanistan.

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