Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have agreed to install water meters at each other's territories to accurately measure the volume of water consumed by both countries, the press service of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan reported. The parties will exchange information on mutual water consumption in real-time. Currently, experts from both countries are deciding on the locations for installing the water meters. Negotiations are ongoing with international organizations to involve them in this project.
Previously, transboundary hydrometric posts "Patar" and "Sarvak" were installed along the Northern and Great Fergana Canals on the border between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to allow more precise measurements of water consumption for irrigation. Water consumption by both countries was measured at the border before, but the equipment had become outdated. The hydrometric posts were upgraded with the support of the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative of the Swiss government.
It is worth noting that in 2023, Kazakhstan announced its intention to amend the agreement on the use of water-energy resources of the Syr Darya River basin with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The Kazakh side points out the violation of the river's ecological state due to pollutants coming from Uzbekistan.
