As in the other regions, the depletion of underground reserves and degradation of their quality due to anthropogenic impact are typical. In order to better protect current and potential sources of drinking water in the country, the status of “area of national environmental importance” has been given to eleven zones of fresh groundwater formation. As a result of anthropogenic factors, the groundwater quality continues to deteriorate in some regions of the country, such as the Republic of Karakalpakstan.