Abstract
Background and Aim. Climate change, increasing pressure on water resources, and the growing water demand of the agricultural sector have intensified the need for more efficient irrigation management. The digital transformation of water management systems is increasingly recognized as a promising approach to achieving sustainable water use. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of water distribution in the Almaty region and to substantiate the application of digital technologies for water resources management under conditions of stochastic variability in water availability. Materials and Methods. The research was based on statistical information on water use in the Almaty region for the period 2010–2024, hydrological records of the Ili River basin, and official data provided by the authorized water management agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study employed system analysis, comparative assessment, statistical methods, correlation analysis, and regression modeling. Coefficients of variation, correlation, and determination were calculated to assess the effectiveness of water distribution. The potential application of geographic information systems (GIS), Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, SCADA systems, digital twins, and artificial intelligence tools was also investigated. Results. The findings indicate that water withdrawal volumes increased by 20.8%, while the efficiency of water distribution simultaneously improved. The system efficiency coefficient rose from 0.62 to 0.77, whereas water losses decreased from 38% to 25%. A strong negative correlation was identified between water losses and system efficiency (r = –0.89). Irrigation water consumption per unit area declined by 22%, resulting in annual water savings of approximately 640 million m³. Hydrological analysis of the Ili River basin revealed considerable interannual variability in water availability. The regression model demonstrated a coefficient of determination of R² = 0.86, confirming the statistical reliability of the obtained results. The study further showed that digital technologies contribute to improved water management performance and reduced water losses. Conclusion. The implementation of digital approaches in water resources management enhances water distribution efficiency, minimizes water losses, and increases the adaptability of irrigation systems to changing hydrological conditions. The obtained results can serve as a basis for the development of digital water management platforms and the improvement of decision-support systems in the water sector.