Geoinformation and Analytical Support for the Development of Promising Aquifers for Pasture Water Supply in Southern Kazakhstan

Tazhiyev S. Murtazin Y. Sotnikov Y. Rakhimova V. Adenova D. Abdizhalel M. Yerezhep D.
May 2025 Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

Water (Switzerland)
2025 #17 Issue 9

Ensuring water resources for livestock production in Kazakhstan presents a multifaceted challenge. Pastoral systems in Southern Kazakhstan are facing a critical groundwater shortage, with 56.5% of pastures currently unused due to limited water access, jeopardizing around 2 million head of livestock and the region’s food security. This study presents the first comprehensive groundwater assessment in over 40 years, integrating hydrochemical analysis (55 samples) and field surveys conducted in the Almaty and Zhetysu regions. Key findings include: the total water demand for livestock is estimated at 53,735 thousand m³/year, with approximately 40% of samples exceeding WHO guidelines for total mineralization. It was determined that 45% of exploitable groundwater reserves in the Almaty region and 15–17% in the Zhetysu region are suitable for irrigation. This study also provides updated hydrogeological data, identifying three priority aquifer systems. A novel Groundwater Sustainability Index for pastoral zones of Central Asia is introduced, demonstrating that strategic aquifer development could expand watered pastureland by 30–40%. These findings directly inform Kazakhstan’s Agricultural Development Plan through 2030 and provide a replicable framework for sustainable water management in arid regions. With 69,836 rural residents currently lacking access to safe water, our results underscore the urgent need for infrastructure investment to meet SDG 6 targets (ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all).

Almaty region , artesian well , Central Asia , groundwater , health risk , Kazakhstan , water standards , Zhetysu region

Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи

U.M. Akmedsafin Institute of Hydrogeology and Geoecology, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Institute of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Satbayev University, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan

U.M. Akmedsafin Institute of Hydrogeology and Geoecology
Institute of Energy and Mechanical Engineering

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026