A report by the World Bank “A Blueprint for Resilience: Charting the Course for Water Security in Europe and Central Asia”, published in June 2024, explores the regional challenges and opportunities related to water security in several regions, including Central Asia. Water security is a pressing issue in many regions of the world, particularly in Central Asia. This article summarizes the key data points and recommendations with the focus on Turkmenistan.
Central Asia is highly dependent on irrigated agriculture and transboundary water resources. Around 70-80% of Central Asia’s agricultural revenue comes from irrigated crops. These sectors and other water-dependent economic sectors employ up to 60% of the labor force in the region. The population of the region is expected to increase, leading to a projected rise in water demand of 34-51% by 2050, intensifying water related risks. Over 40% of the region’s population already lives under constant water stress, with the share in Turkmenistan being even higher.
The economic productivity of water in Central Asia is one of the lowest, generating only $2.8 GDP per m3 of water, compared to the regional average of $43.2 per m3. In Turkmenistan, it is even lower at $1.4 per m3, largely due to inefficient irrigation.
While most people in Central Asia have at least basic access to drinking water and sanitation, 26% of the population lack safely managed services. In Turkmenistan, however, 99% of the population is estimated to have access to basic drinking water, and 94.8% of the population has access to safely managed drinking water. Almost all of the population (99%) has access to basic sanitation services, but the information on access to safely managed sanitation is not known.
The report also lists mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributed to water supply, sanitation, and hygiene. Central Asia has the highest mortality rates within the region of Europe and Central Asia, at 4.6 people per 100 thousand inhabitants and 367 DALYs per 100 thousand inhabitants, but it is still much better than in many other regions in the world. In Turkmenistan, the mortality rate was 4 people per 100 thousand inhabitants, whereas DALYs was 279.
Wastewater collection rate in Central Asia is one of the lowest in Europe and Central Asian region, with only 39% of wastewater being collected, 34% of total wastewater treated, and only a fifth of total wastewater reused. Turkmenistan performs slightly better, collecting 44.7% of total wastewater and treating 34.1%, while 20% of wastewater is reused. However, wastewater treatment faces challenges in the region due to aging infrastructure and insufficient investments. The irrigation systems and water monitoring stations are mostly antiquated and inefficient.
Transboundary water challenges
Water resources in Central Asia are highly interconnected. Around 40% of all surface water flows in Europe and Central Asia are transboundary, more than anywhere else in the world. Central Asia is especially vulnerable due to all five countries in the region relying on Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. The transboundary water-dependency ratio of 47% underscores the need for strong regional cooperation. Turkmenistan is especially vulnerable, with 97% of its water coming from outside its borders.
Water withdrawals in the region are also excessive. Central Asia has some of the highest groundwater depletion rates in the wider region. Along with weak water management, the inefficiencies further increase the risk of shortages and disputes among the countries.
Legal and institutional weaknesses
Central Asia faces major barriers to implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). While most countries have water codes, environmental protections are lacking. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan lack a national water strategy, making coordination difficult. Additionally, surface and groundwater are managed by different state bodies, preventing unified oversight.
Transboundary water agreements are only moderately effective and not fully complied. Turkmenistan, however, is a party to the UNECE Water Convention, which promotes regional cooperation.
Economic risks and a need for investment
If no changes are made to water management practices, Central Asia’s GDP could shrink by up to 11% by 2050 due to losses in agriculture, health, and income. However, addressing water security and water-related issues, including irrigation and drainage, could enable the region’s GDP growth of up to 12%.
Water inefficiencies are a major concern, especially in Central Asia, as estimated 40% of irrigation water is lost in canals. Water supply and sanitation systems are also outdated, with many systems over 50 years old. The water monitoring stations have aged and declined by 30-60%. Modernizing irrigation systems could lead to water savings of 10% and increase crop yields by 50% by 2050.
To address water security-related issues and achieve the water-related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the region needs to invest 2.2% of its GDP, or $20.5 billion per year. Most of this funding is needed to address: water scarcity (71%), water management (19%), industrial pollution (8%), agricultural pollution (2%).
All countries in the region are already taking proactive or reactive measures to target water shortages, including upgrading irrigation and incentivizing farmers to adopt water-saving technologies. However, the pressing issue requires more effort. The report provides an extensive list of recommendations, including:
- Modernizing irrigation and drainage systems to boost efficiency and crop yields;
- Expanding water supply and sanitation to improve health and sustainability;
- Strengthening institutions and policies, including more sustainable water pricing;
- Enhancing climate resilience by investing in sustainable agriculture;
- Reusing treated water for irrigation to reduce freshwater dependence.
