We have considered results of the recent investigations aimed at development of scientific/methodical base for water resources value assessment within the framework of academic support of the “Federal plan of statistical works” realization. Indicators of the water resources value assessment will enable to solve a number of problems of state management of the water/economic complex: to perfect the mechanism for water resources accounting in the system of national accounts; to secure the water resources balanced use; to develop more rational system of charges for water use; to support adoption of the water-saving regime; and to perfect the mechanism of identification for water resources depletion. Methodic approach to the water resources value assessment is differentiated depending on the direction of the assessment results use. Necessity and adequacy of the income assessment method recommended by SNS-2008 was determined for purposes of national accounting at the current stage of the natural/resources component statistic accounting system development. A method of total (integrated) assessment of the water bodies resources potential economic value assessment has been proposed. Promising perspective directions of investigation in this sphere have been considered.

Drawbacks of the current mechanism of payment for negative impact upon water bodies (in terms of pollutants discharge), as well as directions of improvement of the payment calculation procedure with taking into consideration of the drafts of the legal/regulatory base changing in the sphere of regulation of nature use and nature protective activity have been considered. The key recommendations on the payment system application altering have been outlined on the basis of the national and international expertise and practical experience.