New rules for underground water use: stricter requirements for drilling and extraction introduced

Significant amendments have been made to legislation in Uzbekistan regarding the use of underground water resources. According to the newly introduced changes and additions to legal acts, unauthorized drilling and illegal use of underground water will now lead to administrative liability. These updates are aimed at establishing broad legal control.

From now on, the process of drawing water from underground sources has been tightened, and every user is required to fully comply with legal regulations. Specifically, special permits and approvals from authorized bodies are now required to drill wells for underground water. Unauthorized drilling without these permissions will lead to administrative penalties.

Another important change relates to payment deadlines for land plots. If a landowner fails to make payments within the set timeframe, they will be given an official warning, after which they have 6 months to clear the debt. If the debt is not repaid, the land rights will be revoked, and the land will be returned to the state land fund.

The procedure for changing land categories has also been tightened. For example, converting irrigated land to non-irrigated land or to other categories is now allowed only if strict conditions are met. This change promotes efficient and economical use of land resources.

Additional requirements introduced into the Tax Code are also expected to strengthen control over the use of underground water. Now, if water is extracted without measuring or control devices, the tax rate will be 5 times higher than the standard rate.

However, there is an exception: individuals who extract no more than 5 cubic meters per day for personal or household use are not subject to these requirements.

These changes aim to prevent illegal use of underground water, ensure rational use of resources, and strengthen financial discipline in land use. Officials emphasize that such measures will help preserve land and water for future generations. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!