Starting September 1, Azerbaijan will implement a new fee structure for the special use of water bodies. This initiative aims to regulate the extraction and discharge of water resources by commercial entities.
The Operative Information Center-OMM received confirmation regarding these regulations from the State Service for State Control over Water Use and Protection under the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency (ADSEA).
According to the agency, these fees apply to legal entities and individual entrepreneurs who utilize technical equipment to extract water from natural sources, discharge treated wastewater into water bodies, or utilize water areas for specific commercial purposes.
The fee structure varies based on the source and purpose of water usage. For industrial purposes, the cost for extracting 100 cubic meters of water is set at 0.4 AZN from the Caspian Sea, 4 AZN from rivers and lakes, and 40 AZN from groundwater sources. Additionally, fees for discharging 100 cubic meters of wastewater are set at 1 AZN for the Caspian Sea and 4 AZN for rivers and lakes.
The ADSEA advises that detailed information regarding these payments is outlined in the Cabinet of Ministers' Decision No. 99, dated April 14, 2026, titled "Amounts of payments for the use of water bodies for special purposes."
To obtain authorization for such usage, applicants must submit a formal request to the ADSEA. Following the approval process, which is governed by the "Rules for granting permission for the use of water bodies for special purposes" approved by the President of Azerbaijan's Decree No. 554 on December 18, 2025, users must sign a contract and commence payments starting September 1, 2026.
This regulatory framework is part of Azerbaijan's broader strategy to enhance the sustainable management and protection of its national water resources, ensuring that industrial consumption is monitored and accounted for in alignment with environmental standards.
