Order of the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation No. 173-НК “On approval of the Regulation on the safety of hydraulic structures”.

This Order primarily addresses the regulation of hydrotechnical facilities, focusing on establishing safety standards and procedures for their design, construction, operation, reconstruction, preservation, and disposal. It aims to define hazard classifications, safety requirements, and monitoring protocols for hydrotechnical installations (GTS). The overarching policy goal is to ensure environmental safety and human security by regulating potentially hazardous water management structures, including dams and hydropower facilities, according to their hazard class. Key measures include the classification of GTS into hazard classes I through IV based on parameters such as dam height, reservoir volume, and hydropower capacity. The document stipulates safety requirements across various stages—design, construction, operation, and reconstruction—emphasizing the importance of technical assessments, monitoring systems, and compliance with technical regulations. It details specific safety criteria, measurement methods, and permissible thresholds for structural movements, stresses, and filtration costs. The responsibilities of GTS owners are explicitly outlined, including ensuring safe operation, maintaining safety documentation, conducting regular surveys, and implementing measures to prevent accidents, with particular attention to natural and technological emergency preparedness. Implementation mechanisms involve the registration of orders with the Ministry of Justice, posting regulations on official internet resources, and assigning monitoring responsibilities to the Vice-Minister of Water and Irrigation. The document emphasizes the need for ongoing technical supervision, periodic surveys, and adherence to safety standards during all lifecycle stages of GTS. Secondary themes include procedural requirements for construction and operation, enforcement of safety protocols, and stakeholder responsibilities, all explicitly detailed to ensure clarity and compliance within the regulatory framework.