Kazakhstan North Aral volume rises to 23.5 billion cubic meters in 2026
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Kazakhstan's North Aral Sea volume reached approximately 23.5 billion cubic meters by July 2026, up from 18.9 billion at the end of 2022. The recovery is linked to the Kokaral Dam and Syr Darya management, with plans for a second phase to expand the sea further. The government is integrating the restoration into President Tokayev's Taza Kazakhstan environmental agenda.
Key Facts
- The North Aral's volume rose from 18.9 billion cubic meters at the end of 2022 to 23 billion by the end of 2025.
- In July 2026, the Water Resources Ministry reported the volume at approximately 23.5 billion cubic meters.
- The proposed second phase aims to increase the sea's volume to approximately 34 billion cubic meters and expand its surface area to around 3,900 square kilometers.
- The number of identified illegal dumping sites fell from approximately 8,600 in 2018 to 2,600 in 2026.
- The share of municipal waste sorted or processed increased from 25.8% in 2024 to 30.6% in 2025.
North Aral Recovery
The recovery reflects work centered on the Kokaral Dam, completed in 2005, and management of the Syr Darya. The first phase raised water levels, reduced salinity, and helped restore fishing. Kazakhstan's Water Resources Ministry and the World Bank have developed plans for a second phase of the restoration program. The proposed project calls for the reconstruction of the Kokaral Dam. The recovery described here is confined to the North Aral in Kazakhstan, while the South Aral remains severely depleted.
Taza Kazakhstan Environmental Agenda
An August 22 government review places the North Aral alongside waste management, reforestation, and environmental education under Taza Kazakhstan. Launched by Tokayev in April 2024 as a nationwide cleanup campaign, the initiative is increasingly being used as a framework for a broader environmental program. Satellite monitoring is being combined with public reporting through eGov Mobile and TazaQazBot. Public reports have been processed through the two services since 2024. Local authorities have been given responsibility for cleaning public areas, while penalties for illegal disposal have been strengthened.
Waste Infrastructure Deficit
At the end of 2024, only 20.4% of the country's municipal waste landfills had the required documentation. Major sites in Astana and Zhezkazgan were at or beyond capacity. A 2023 plan called for 100 new landfills, but a December 2025 government update said only eight had been commissioned.
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Kazakhstan North Aral volume rises to 23.5 billion cubic meters in 2026
