Order of the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation No. 158-НК “On approval of the Rules for the development and approval of a groundwater intake project and a groundwater monitoring program”.

This Order primarily addresses the development and harmonization of groundwater management regulations, focusing on the procedures for establishing groundwater abstraction projects and monitoring programs. It emphasizes the need for compliance with specific legal principles related to water resource management, environmental protection, and sustainable use. The overarching policy goal is to regulate groundwater extraction exceeding 1,000 cubic meters per day, ensuring environmental safety and legal adherence. Key measures include the requirement for developing groundwater abstraction projects prior to obtaining special water use permits, with detailed provisions on the content and technical specifications of such projects. These encompass qualitative indicators, sanitary zones, geological data, and operational regimes, including provisions for observation wells and corrosion protection. The document also mandates the development of groundwater monitoring programs, specifying the composition, design, frequency of observations, and reporting procedures. It stipulates that these programs must be developed with consultation from relevant authorities and submitted for harmonization, with detailed procedures for review, approval, and rectification of deficiencies. The process involves multiple stages of administrative review, including application registration, completeness verification, proposal solicitation, and decision issuance, all governed by specified timelines and procedural rules. Implementation is structured around institutional responsibilities assigned to the Department of Underground Waters and territorial units of the designated authority for subsoil exploration. The document details procedural steps for application submission, review, and appeal processes, including administrative and judicial avenues for dispute resolution. It emphasizes the importance of timely reporting, data transmission, and stakeholder involvement, with specific timelines for each procedural stage. Overall, the document provides a comprehensive legal and procedural framework aimed at regulating groundwater abstraction and monitoring activities, ensuring compliance, and facilitating administrative oversight within the national water resource management policy.