On behalf of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Hydrogeological Service will be recreated under the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, El.kz reports with reference to the department.
At the moment, two departments are dealing with the issue of recreating this service. An organizational structure and statutory documents have been developed and will soon be submitted to the Government for consideration.
According to the proposal of the Ministry, the National Hydrogeological Service will have organizational and other necessary powers to implement state policy in the field of groundwater management, prospecting and exploration and their state monitoring. Issues of rational use of groundwater will be under special control.
"According to forecasts, the volume of groundwater is about 40 cubic kilometers, including 15 cubic kilometers of ready-to-use reserves. Currently, the share of groundwater use in the economy of Kazakhstan is only 7-10%. We intend to increase the use of groundwater resources for drinking water supply, irrigation and pastoralism. At the same time, depletion and pollution of the country's groundwater reserves will not be allowed" the message reads.