Fines for violating water intake procedures: how they are calculated and how to pay half as much
From October 22, 2026, a new Regulation on financial sanctions for violating the water abstraction procedure comes into force (CM Resolution No. 585 of 21.10.2026). It defines the procedure for applying sanctions, the calculation formula, and "benefits" for voluntary payment.
Fines for violating water abstraction rules: how they are calculated and how to pay half as much
On October 22, 2026, the new Regulation on financial sanctions for violating the procedure for water abstraction came into force (Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 585 of October 21, 2026). The document establishes the procedure for applying sanctions, the formula for calculating them, and "privileges" for voluntary payment. In addition, starting from 2027, a first-time violation may be limited to a warning.
The Regulation applies to legal entities that abstract water from surface water bodies — rivers, canals, reservoirs — for the needs of agriculture and fisheries, industry, energy, or domestic purposes.
What is considered a violation of the water abstraction procedure
A violation of the water abstraction procedure is recognized as water abstraction:
How the fine is calculated
The amount of the sanction depends on the volume of water abstracted in violation and is determined for every 1,000 cubic meters as a percentage of the base calculation value (BCV) using the formula:
M = Q / 1,000 × (BCV × k%), where M is the amount of the sanction, Q is the volume of water abstracted in violation (cubic meters), and k is the rate of the BCV for a specific violation established by Article 164 of the Water Code.