Abstract
The relevance of this study is driven by the growing global scarcity of water resources, increasing transboundary dependence, the deterioration of water infrastructure, and the need to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the field of rational water use. For Kazakhstan, this issue is of particular importance due to the limited availability of domestic water resources, high dependence on transboundary inflows, and the insufficient efficiency of existing water management mechanisms. The aim of the article is to analyze international experience in the management of water infrastructure and to substantiate economically efficient approaches for its adaptation in the context of Kazakhstan. The methodological framework of the study is based on comparative and institutional analysis, as well as the generalization of international practices. The information base includes materials from international organizations, scientific publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, as well as studies focused on water resource management in Kazakhstan. The results indicate that the most effective models are those that combine state regulation, economic incentives, tariff mechanisms, and private sector participation in the modernization and operation of water infrastructure. It is established that international experience supports the transition from predominantly administrative allocation of water resources to more flexible and economically grounded management mechanisms aimed at resource efficiency, investment sustainability, and environmental responsibility.