Uzbekistan to create “State Water Cadastre” information system

Uzbekistan will establish a “State Water Cadastre” information system, which is expected to be fully operational by April 2026. This was discussed today, October 13, during a presentation attended by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, focused on digitalizing the water management sector, improving the system of managing water resources at the local level, and enhancing the sector’s attractiveness for private investment.

Currently, Uzbekistan has 50,000 kilometers of irrigation networks, 1,600 pumping stations, and more than 10,000 water facilities in operation. In recent years, consistent efforts have been made to reform the water management system, modernize irrigation infrastructure, and promote efficient water use. However, challenges remain in local-level management, including issues related to service efficiency, transparency in accounting, and financial independence.

During the presentation, measures aimed at deepening the ongoing digitalization processes and improving the service system in the sector were discussed.

Under the new approach, water accounting will be fully digitized. Through the “Suv hisobi” (Water Accounting) information platform, the volume of water used will be accurately measured and reported to consumers electronically. This system will reduce human error in accounting, eliminate excessive paperwork, and improve the efficiency of resource use.

To ensure data accuracy, integration with the “Digital Agriculture” platform will be implemented. As a result, information on irrigated lands, crop types, and water limits will be automatically updated.

Additionally, a “Center for Digitalization and Monitoring of Water Management” will be established under the Ministry of Water Management to consolidate all sectoral data into a unified system. The center will analyze information on water balance, pumping stations, and water consumption, enabling automation in decision-making processes.

From now on, a separate deputy minister will be responsible for overseeing digital transformation in the water management sector.

“The ‘State Water Cadastre’ information system will be created in the sector. Through it, data related to water resources will be collected from relevant ministries and agencies and integrated into a single database. This will simplify data exchange processes and reduce the use of paper-based reporting. The ‘State Water Cadastre’ system is scheduled to be fully operational by April 2026,” the report stated.

The presentation also addressed the improvement of local service delivery systems. Based on needs and seasonal conditions, a flexible staffing system will be introduced. The efficiency of services will be evaluated using key performance indicators (KPIs).

Starting in 2026, employee incentive systems will be linked to practical results, meaning performance will be assessed based on the difference between the volume of water delivered and the volume consumed.

To strengthen financial independence, institutions will be allowed to allocate 40 percent of water tax revenues to improving their material and technical base.

The practice of managing water management pumping stations under public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements will be expanded. By 2026, 50 percent of pumping stations in Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Namangan, Samarkand, and Syrdarya regions will be transferred to private management, with all pumping stations in Namangan region expected to transition to private partnership by 2027.

In this regard, the “Chortoq Model” will be implemented in the Chortoq district of Namangan region under the principle of “one pump – one system.” Under this model, a private partner will supply water to consumers within the established water limits, while 40 percent of the collected water tax from the serviced areas will be allocated to the private partner. These funds will be used to automate water accounting and gradually modernize pumping stations.

To raise awareness among farmers and peasants about the essence and advantages of the initiative, as part of the “School of Water Specialists” project, one “training field site” will be established in each district during 2025–2026, covering a total of 3,500 hectares across 141 districts.

The President instructed officials to accelerate digitalization in the sector, fully automate accounting and reporting processes, improve service efficiency at the local level, expand public-private partnerships, and strengthen staff accountability. Relevant documents have been signed to implement these measures.

It is worth noting that earlier, a law introducing amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan established liability for illegal drilling of wells.