Joint Order of the Acting Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation No. 85-НҚ and the Acting Minister of National Economy No. 25 “On approval of criteria for assessing the degree of risk and a checklist for natural monopoly entities providing water supply services through canals, water supply for irrigation and regulation of surface runoff using retaining hydraulic structures”.

This Joint Order primarily addresses the establishment of risk assessment criteria for natural monopolies involved in water provision through channels, irrigation water supply, and surface water management via hydrotechnical structures. It aims to regulate and monitor these monopolistic entities to ensure compliance and control. The policy objectives include categorizing control entities based on risk levels—high, medium, or low—using both objective and subjective criteria, with the intent to optimize regulatory oversight and prevent violations. Key measures outlined involve the development and application of risk assessment criteria, including the use of checklists and risk calculation formulas, to determine the level of control and monitoring required for each entity. The criteria incorporate data from previous audits, monitoring reports, media analysis, and official sources, with specific thresholds for violations classified as gross, significant, or minor. The document emphasizes the importance of semi-annual preventive checklists, prioritizing high-risk entities for more intensive oversight, and details procedures for risk reclassification based on compliance history and other mitigating factors. It also specifies the use of automated risk calculation methods and normalization procedures to ensure consistent assessment. Implementation responsibilities are assigned to the Department of Tariff Policy and the Vice-Minister of Water and Irrigation, with a timeline indicating that the joint order comes into effect ten days after official publication. The process includes state registration, online posting, and communication with the Procurator's Office. The document also discusses procedural aspects such as exemption from preventive monitoring under certain conditions, stakeholder involvement, and the use of information systems for risk management. Overall, the framework aims to enhance regulatory efficiency, ensure compliance, and facilitate risk-based oversight of natural monopolies in water management sectors.