For most of its area, Mongolia possesses a highly continental, semi-arid to arid climate, characterized by low precipitation and therefore low water availability.

Perennial rivers are found in the northern part of the country, but are lacking in the dry southern part, the Gobi area. River runoff in the summer is variable and depends on the amount of rainfall in the summer with contribution from the ice and snow collected in the mountains during the winter.

In an average year, surface water is estimated to cover 2,091 million cubic meters, while more conservative estimates for a dry year indicate that surface water amounts to 1,294 million cubic meters. Eight lakes store approximately 75 percent of the total fresh water resources, with Lake Khuvsgul alone storing 75 percent of the total water volume. Other large freshwater lakes include Buir Lake, Khar Lake and Khar-Us Lake.

Water related challenges

Currently, Mongolia does have sufficient water to support its population and economic activities but is likely to face scarcity in the future. The main issue is that this water is not available at the right place, in the right moment and in the required quality.  The overall main issues include:

• Provision of safe drinking water and optimal wastewater treatment: The infrastructure needed for sufficient and safe provision of water to users is far from being adequate.
• Conservation of water resources: Factors such as growing population, urbanization and industrialization, combined with an increase in mining activities and irrigated agriculture place demands on the water resources system.
• Pollution of water resources: Locally, pollution of surface water, for example, from mining activities and inadequate wastewater treatment, is already a major issue.
• Sufficient and clean water for the environment: Increased demands on water resources resulting in changing flows, combined with increased water pollution are impacting aquatic and riparian ecosystems.
• Restoration of water resources: Improvement of water resources after damage caused by overuse or neglect.
• Hazards due to floods, droughts, dzuds and other disasters: Inadequate prevention means result in serious impacts for the population and livestock.
• Capacity building for water management: Capacity development is required for national and local governmental institutions.
• Monitoring and research for water management: Currently, water resources are insufficiently monitored and understood.
• Data and information management: Currently, data on water resources management is not centrally available to the stakeholders or the key decision-makers.
• Public awareness of water management and public participation: There is a lack of public awareness about the importance of water management and the role that various stakeholders are expected to play in it. Further, the current centralized and government dominated system of water management does not provide incentives for users to participate.
• Insufficient financing for infrastructure and recurrent costs for water management institutions: The Water National Program estimates the investments in the water sector until 2015 to exceed three trillion MNT (one-third of Mongolia’s GDP in 2010).
• Transition of institutions for water management to the new market economy: Institutions and legislation are still immature and need to further develop their capabilities, especially in the field of IWRM.

Facts about Mongolian water resources

•    Total water resource: 608 km³/year
• 

•    Mongolia is the world’s 34th most water-stressed country
•    Experts predict Mongolia will face extreme water scarcity by 2040
•    85% of total water is fresh
•    Mean annual river runoff formed in the territory of Mongolia: 30.6 km³ /year
•    Groundwater resources: around 12 km³.
•    Groundwater recharge: 40 to 60 mm/year in northern Mongolia, 1 mm/year in southern Mongolia.
•    The majority of water is used for mining and land irrigation

Water consumption

An average Ulaanbaatar resident uses approximately 330,000 m³ every day. Their water is supplied through underground water reserves in Tuul River basin.

Apartment – Uses 240 to 250 liters per person each day

Ger – 8 to 10 liters per person each day

Water supply and demand gap

Daily water use per capita (liter/day)

Ecological and economical value of water vary depending on sectors

	Water used in heavy industry	Water used in construction works and production of construction materials	Water used in light industry	Water used in food industry		Water used in mining		Pumping	Energy production	agriculture	Services
				Alcoholic beverages	Pastries	Extraction and enrichment	Enrichment of copper concentrate and fluoride
Price (MNT per m3)	176.6	103.3	51.6	103.3	30.6	561.9	506.9	380.2	33.7	51.6	49.4