## 3 Results and Discussion
### Prediction Model
#### 3.2.4 Prospects for Utilizing Cretaceous Groundwater Resources as a Water Supply
In conditions of an acute deficit of water resources in the western regions of the Zhem Artesian Basin, these waters can be used for the domestic and drinking water supply of small villages and the watering points of distant pastures in accordance with the directive documents of the Kazakhstan Republic. The corresponding project for transferring part of the exploited groundwater resources from the Zhem Artesian Basin, Albian-Cenomanian aquifer complex, to water-deficient areas of the Mangistau and Atyrau regions is in the development stage. Based on the Zhemsky artesian basin exploration and assessment results, groundwater reserves are confined to the Albian-Cenomanian aquifer complex, and using modern filters and gravel backfill of the annular space, sand removal by production wells and, accordingly, land subsidence [9] were not noted [20; 21; 22; 23; 24]. Thus, there is every reason to assume that these negative phenomena will not occur during the construction and operation of new water wellfields, which is confirmed by the operating experience of large wellfields, such as Emba, Kenkiyak, Atzhaksy, Alibekmola and Kandagach. The Zhem Artesian Basin deep high-quality aquifer complex is overlaid by low-permeability clay layers and is not subject to a contamination risk. The long-term wellfield operation experience and groundwater quality monitoring data reveal stability in their chemical composition and the absence of contamination. At the same time, in areas where groundwater has unconfined conditions and wellfields are located near industrial facilities, there is a potential risk of contamination. In this case, it is advised that a sanitary protection zone around the wellfield should be created [45]. When new wells are put into operation and groundwater withdrawal is intensified, the contamination risk increases. This requires constant monitoring of the pumped water quality. Taking into account the depth of the Albian-Cenomanian aquifer complex, a decrease in groundwater pressure head during the pumping well operation does not have any significant impact on vegetation and river runoff [20; 21; 22; 23; 24]. At the same time, according to the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan \"On Subsoil and Subsoil Use\" ([[https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/K1700000125](https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/K1700000125)]([https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/K1700000125](https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/K1700000125)), accessed on 20 April 2025), state monitoring of groundwater is carried out at exploited aquifer segments, including observations of river runoff. Consequently, when new wells are put into operation in the future, monitoring will be carried out, and the impact of increased water withdrawal on the environment will be assessed. The cost of 1 m\({}^{3}\) of pumped groundwater, according to the Department of State Revenues in Kazakhstan, is USD 0.4. The cost of groundwater exploration carried out from 2002 to 2021, calculated for 25 years of water withdrawal operations of the Zhem Artesian Basin10 largest well fields, was on average USD 0.28 per 1 m\({}^{3}\). At the same time, the cost of 1 m\({}^{3}\) of water for the urban population of Aktobe, whose water supply is groundwater-based, is USD 0.42. For comparison, the cost of 1 m\({}^{3}\) of water for the citiesof western Kazakhstan, whose water supply is surface water-based, is USD 0.97. Thus, groundwater supply to the regions of western Kazakhstan is economically viable and often the only way of providing this resource.