Abstract
Under conditions of increasing anthropogenic pressure and climate change, sustainable water supply for pasture areas in Southern Kazakhstan has become a key factor in the development of livestock farming and the assurance of regional food security. A significant proportion of pasturelands in the region experiences pronounced water scarcity, while groundwater serves as the primary—and in many cases the only reliable—source of water for livestock watering. In this context, a scientifically sound and reliable assessment of groundwater quality is essential for the rational use of pasture resources and the planning of water management infrastructure. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the quality of groundwater used for water supply in pasture areas of Southern Kazakhstan. To achieve this objective, hydrochemical analysis methods and integrated water quality indicators were employed. The study includes an analysis of the main physicochemical parameters of groundwater, their classification in accordance with national and international sanitary-hygienic and water management standards, as well as the calculation of the Water Quality Index (WQI) to assess the suitability of groundwater for livestock purposes. Particular attention was paid to identifying spatial heterogeneity in groundwater quality and high-risk zones where certain parameters approach regulatory threshold values. The obtained results make it possible to identify priority areas for the development of pasture water supply systems and provide a scientific basis for informed management decisions aimed at the sustainable use of groundwater resources in the arid and semi-arid regions of Southern Kazakhstan.