The government of Uzbekistan has officially approved a regulatory framework for imposing financial penalties on legal entities that violate established water withdrawal procedures. Formalized under Cabinet Resolution No. 585 dated October 21, 2026, the regulation applies to water extraction across agriculture, fisheries, industry, energy, and domestic utilities. The initiative allegedly aims to enforce stricter accounting and conservation measures amid mounting regional water scarcity concerns.

The newly adopted rules explicitly define what constitutes a violation of water withdrawal regulations. Key infractions include exceeding established water limits, unauthorized extraction without a formal water use contract, and failing to equip water intake points with proper metering and management devices. Furthermore, abstracting water without a special use permit or engaging in arbitrary, uncoordinated extraction is strictly categorized as an unlawful offense.

To ostensibly ease pressure on businesses, a 'warning for the first offense' rule will take effect starting January 1, 2027. This provision applies to legal entities that commit a first-time water withdrawal infraction within a calendar year, provided the violation does not cause harm to citizens' health, life, or third-party property. Under this mechanism, the inspectorate issues an electronic notification via the suvnazorat.uz platform, granting a 10-day grace period to rectify the discrepancy.

Failure to remedy the situation within the designated timeframe triggers financial sanctions calculated per thousand cubic meters of water based on the base calculation unit, as stipulated in Article 164 of the Water Code. Should a similar infraction recur within one year following the initial penalty, the fine is set to multiply fivefold. Meanwhile, the regulation also introduces voluntary payment incentives, allowing entities to settle half the amount within a month or arrange installment plans.

Source: kun.uz