Assessment of Springs as Rural Water Resources in Southwest Kyrgyzstan

Southwest Kyrgyzstan is one of the most socioeconomically disadvantaged and environmentally sensitive regions of the country, characterized by water scarcity, aging irrigation infrastructure, land degradation, and increasing climate change impacts. These problems have been compounded by transboundary water disputes with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the Fergana valley. Springs occur across southwest Kyrgyzstan, particularly in karstified limestone, but information on their hydrology and utilization as water resources is lacking. During 2025, we measured field water-quality parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, dissolved O2, turbidity) at 54 springs, primarily in Batken province. We sampled 23 springs for analyses of metals, anions, nutrients, and stable isotopes of water (δ2H and δ¹⁸O), and we deployed pressure and temperature loggers at 3 springs. We assessed local water use through a random sampling household survey with 154 respondents and semi-structured key informant interviews. Chemical quality of the studied springs is generally good. Solute concentrations were less than WHO guidelines in all but 2 instances (NO3 at one spring and Ba at another, neither of which was used for drinking water). The 5 springs with total dissolved solids (TDS; calculated from solute analyses) > 750 mg/L had SO4 as the dominant anion. Of the other 18 springs sampled, 15 had Ca-HCO3 or Ca-Mg-HCO3 facies. Major-ion chemistry appears to reflect dissolution of carbonate and evaporite minerals, cation exchange, and partial evaporation. Most spring waters fall close to the Global Meteoric Water Line on an δ2H–δ¹⁸O plot, indicating a meteoric origin. Springs with TDS < 450 mg/L show a slope of 5.7, suggesting partial evaporation prior to recharge, while waters with higher TDS exhibit a weak δ²H–δ¹⁸O relationship, implying mixing processes and prolonged water–rock interaction. The δ¹⁸O values show a weak but discernible altitude effect, whereas spring water temperature exhibits a stronger negative correlation with elevation. Springs are used for drinking/domestic supply, irrigation, livestock watering, aquaculture, and recreation. Of survey respondents, 42% rely on piped systems, 37% on irrigation channels, and 29% on springs. Respondents reported variable water quality, including salinity, turbidity, color changes, and occasional odors. Most respondents (95%) reported no occurrence of infectious diseases among household members. Respondents demonstrated high awareness of climate-related risks, including drought (54%) and increasing temperatures (61%). Overall, 40% of respondents reported declining water availability, and 18% indicated that irrigation water no longer reaches their fields. Survey findings highlight the need for integrated interventions, including protection and monitoring of springs, household-level water treatment and safe storage, rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure, and promotion of water-saving technologies. Implementing these measures can improve water security, agricultural productivity, and rural livelihoods while strengthening climate resilience in Batken province. Pending work includes compiling logged water-level and temperature data during the next year in conjunction with meteorological data. Study results and recommendations for spring utilization will be shared with local stakeholders (e.g., community members and representatives of water-users associations) and Kyrgyz government agencies.