If the rule of water abstraction is violated repeatedly, the financial sanction will increase fivefold
The procedure for applying financial sanctions to legal entities that violate water withdrawal regulations has been approved in Uzbekistan. Starting from 2027, a warning will be issued for the first violation that meets the specified conditions. If the rule is violated again within one year after the sanction is applied, its amount will be increased fivefold.
If the rule of water intake is violated again, the financial sanction will increase fivefold
The relevant regulation was approved by Government Decision No. 585 of October 21, 2026. It applies to violations in water intake for agricultural, fishery, industrial, energy, and household needs.
The following situations are assessed as violations of the water intake procedure: taking water in excess of the established limit; taking water without formalizing a water intake agreement; failing to equip water intake points with water management and accounting devices; taking water without a special water use permit; unauthorized water intake.
From January 1, 2027, the rule "Warning for the first mistake" will be introduced. It applies to legal entities that have violated the water intake procedure for the first time during the year, but have not caused damage to the lives and health of citizens or to the property of others.
In such a situation, the Inspection warns the legal entity through the suvnazorat.uz electronic platform and issues an instruction to eliminate the violation. If the situation is not eliminated within 10 days, a financial sanction will be applied.
The amount of the sanction is calculated based on the percentages established in Article 164 of the Water Code relative to the base calculation amount for every thousand cubic meters of water. If the procedure is violated repeatedly within a year after the sanction is applied, a sanction in the amount of five times will be applied.
Relief measures have also been established for voluntary payment. If 50 percent of the amount is paid within one month from the date of receipt of the decision and sanction calculation, the legal entity is released from paying the remaining part.
Also, the sanction can be paid in installments no later than six months. In this case, the monthly payment must not be less than one-sixth of the total amount. If the initial payment is made within one month, the installment payment procedure will be applied automatically.
According to the regulation, when the sanction is paid voluntarily, the measure of legal effect is considered not to have been applied. If voluntary payment is not made within one month, the Inspection will file a lawsuit in court.