Analysis and assessment of water resources in the Kyrgyz Republic

Nurbek Ibragimov, Arstanaly Botobekov, Baktygul Ishekeeva, Adilbek Asankanov, Manzura Khashimova
Received: 12.01.2025 Revised: 08.06.2025 Accepted: 25.06.2025
Retrieved from Vol. 28, No. 7, 2025 Pages: 79-92
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Abstract

The study aimed to analyse the factors of water use, environmental impacts and efficiency of water management to develop recommendations for their optimisation. The study determined that water consumption in agriculture decreased from 80% in 2020 to 76% in 2024, but water losses in irrigation systems remained high, decreasing only from 39% to 38%. In the Chui region, the largest water consumer, the share of water use decreased from 45% to 41%, and economic losses reduced from USD 40 million to USD 35 million. In water-scarce Osh region, water consumption dropped from 18% to 14%, but water availability in agriculture and the municipal sector remained limited. Wastewater treatment improved from 50% in 2020 to 55% in 2024, but this figure was far below international standards, where Switzerland and Canada had treatment rates of 95% and 90%, respectively. Comparative analysis demonstrated that developed countries are actively using digital leakage monitoring systems, smart irrigation technologies and multi-stage water treatment, which have reduced losses by up to 6-8%. In Kyrgyzstan, such technologies were introduced locally and only in some agricultural enterprises. Investments in water infrastructure amounted to USD 7 per capita, compared to USD 200 in Switzerland and USD 150 in Canada, which limited the modernisation of the water supply system. The problems identified confirmed the need to reform the water management system, including reducing water losses, modernising wastewater treatment facilities, introducing digital solutions for water management and adapting infrastructure to changing climate conditions

Keywords

hydrological changes; glacier degradation; climate risks; environmental and economic analysis; strategic planning

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Ibragimov, N., Botobekov, A., Ishekeeva, B., Asankanov, A., & Khashimova, M. (2025). Analysis and assessment of water resources in the Kyrgyz Republic. Scientific Horizons, 28(7), 79-92. https://doi.org/10.48077/scihor7.2025.79