Article​​​​​​​ 23. Powers of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the Field of Regulating Water Relations

The powers of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of regulating water relations include:

exercising state control over the protection of water resources;

ensuring a favorable ecological state of the water environment;

analyzing the impact of anthropogenic factors on the water environment for the purpose of preventing depletion and pollution of water bodies, as well as monitoring compliance with requirements for water releases from reservoirs for sanitary and ecological purposes;

approving projects of ecological standards of maximum permissible discharges of pollutants into surface water bodies and the earthʼs relief prepared by organizations for the purpose of conducting environmental expertise, as well as issuing, in accordance with the established procedure, permits for special water use for withdrawal of natural surface water flows;

collecting compensation payments for pollution of the water environment and ensuring their use in the prescribed manner;

conducting state environmental expertise of relevant projects in the prescribed manner;

carrying out monitoring of sources (emissions) of pollution of surface waters;

jointly with ministries, agencies and other interested bodies, forming and maintaining the unified national ecological information database on the degree of environmental pollution, other harmful impacts on the environment, and the use of natural resources;

obtaining, free of charge, from legal entities and individuals, the necessary information related to the protection, use, and monitoring of water resources or water bodies;

participating in the activities of the Republican Water Council, submitting proposals to the Council on the state of natural surface water resources, their level and sources of pollution, existing problems, and ways of their resolution.

The powers of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan may also include other matters in accordance with legislation.