The condition of water accounting points on irrigation systems of the South and North Caucasus federal districts

In 2025, Russian Scientific Research Institute of Land Improvement Problems employees collected, analyzed and systematized an array of information data from operating organizations subordinate to the Department of Land Reclamation of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, related to the Southern and North Caucasus federal districts, on the presence of water metering points on irrigation systems. According to the survey results, the main measuring instruments at water accounting points are stationary hydrometric rails (61%) and graduated structures (17%). Regarding the technical condition of water accounting points, it was found that 51% of the total number of points have a safety level assessed as normal. Water accounting points that characterize a reduced and unsatisfactory level of safety include 303 units (21%) and 323 units (23%), respectively. As part of measures to optimize the system of technological water accounting and improve the accuracy of hydrometric studies on reclamation channels, the departments submitted proposals for the reconstruction of 122 water accounting points, major repairs are required to 73 water accounting points. In addition, it is necessary to build 398 new additional water accounting points. The equipment of water accounting points is at a low level. This situation is a consequence of the long-term underfunding of the industry. Nevertheless, there is an interest from operating organizations in the reconstruction, major repairs of existing water metering points, or in the construction of new ones