{"id":43201,"date":"2023-07-04T12:12:42","date_gmt":"2023-07-04T10:12:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/?p=43201"},"modified":"2023-08-18T18:55:46","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T16:55:46","slug":"kazakhstan-residents-suffer-from-lack-of-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/kazakhstan\/kazakhstan-residents-suffer-from-lack-of-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Kazakhstan: Residents suffer from lack of water"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Since May 2023, the capital of Kazakhstan is suffering from a severe water crisis, as a result residents are now facing a shortage of drinking water. According to the government, across the country there are more than 600,000 Kazakhstanis that do not have access to drinking water. By 2050 the Republic of Kazakhstan may join the category of countries \u201c<em>in dire need of water.<\/em>\u201d President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed holding an anti-crisis summit in Kazakhstan under the backing of the UN to solve the water problem.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the monitoring group \u201cEnergyprom\u201d \u2013 migration influx, rapid population growth and large-scale construction in the capital of Kazakhstan has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energyprom.kz\/ru\/a\/monitoring\/nazad-v-srednevekove-pochti-600-tysyach-kazahstancev-zhivut-bez-vodoprovoda-kazhdaya-vtoraya-semya-na-sele-bez-kanalizacii\">exceeded<\/a> the available capacity of the pumping stations. Therefore, on March 28, 2023, the city water supply service \u201c<em>Astana Su Arnasy<\/em>\u201d resorted to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.astanasu.kz\/news\/people\/9338\/\">introducing<\/a> an hourly water schedule to citizens. On May 23, residents of a residential complex expressed their dissatisfaction due to the lack of water by blocking the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On June 10 the situation was resolved and <a href=\"file:\/\/Users\/abbytheexplorer\/Downloads\/10%20\u0438\u044e\u043d\u044f%20\u0441\u0438\u0442\u0443\u0430\u0446\u0438\u044f%20\u0440\u0430\u0437\u0440\u0435\u0448\u0438\u043b\u0430\u0441\u044c%20\u0438%20\u0432\u043b\u0430\u0441\u0442\u0438%20\u0437\u0430\u0432\u0435\u0440\u0438\u043b\u0438,%20\u0447\u0442\u043e%20\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0431\u043b\u0435\u043c\u0443%20\u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0442\u044c\u044e%20\u0440\u0435\u0448\u0430\u0442%20\u0434\u043e%2030%20\u0438\u044e\u043d\u044f%20\u043f\u0443\u0442\u0451\u043c%20\u0437\u0430\u043f\u0443\u0441\u043a\u0430%20\u043d\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0439%20\u043d\u0430\u0441\u043e\u0441\u043d\u043e-\u0444\u0438\u043b\u044c\u0442\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0430\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e\u0439%20\u0441\u0442\u0430\u043d\u0446\u0438\u0438%20\u0432%20\u0441\u0442\u043e\u043b\u0438\u0446\u0435.%20\u0422\u0435\u043c%20\u0432\u0440\u0435\u043c\u0435\u043d\u0435\u043c,%20\u0438\u0437\u0434\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0435%20\">authorities assured<\/a> that the problem would be solved by the 30 of June as they are launching a new pumping and filtering system. Meanwhile the publication \u201cKazTAG\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/kaztag.kz\/ru\/news\/istochnik-vody-v-astane-rasschitan-tolko-na-500-tys-chelovek-pri-1-3-mln-zhiteley-senator\">reported<\/a> that the water source for Astana is designed for only 500,000 people while the city has 1.3 million inhabitants. The mayor of Astana has <a href=\"https:\/\/zonakz.net\/2023\/06\/06\/akim-astany-svyazal-deficit-vody-s-rostom-naseleniya-i-aktivnym-polivom\/\">connected<\/a> the water shortage with the population growth and the active irrigation of agricultural land.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hp-newsletter col-span-3 lg:col-span-1 flex flex-col bg-primary-100 border-t-8 border-secondary-500 rounded-lg justify-center items-center lg:items-stretch px-6 py-6 gap-4 box-border\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"flex\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"enveloppe\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"far fa-envelope text-5xl text-secondary-300\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"formulaire_nl\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"font-bold text-xl block\">The whole of Central Asia in your inbox\n<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSubscribe to our free weekly newsletter\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<form class=\"flex w-3\/4 lg:w-full\" action=\"https:\/\/us4.list-manage.com\/subscribe?u=6a15a2256d412b041fdec39e8&amp;id=d479236523\" method=\"post\" id=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" name=\"mc-embedded-subscribe-form\" class=\"validate\" target=\"_blank\" novalidate=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<input class=\"flex-grow py-2 px-3 border border-primary-300 rounded-l\" type=\"email\" placeholder=\"Email\" name=\"EMAIL\" id=\"mce-EMAIL\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"bg-secondary-500 py-2 px-3 text-white rounded-r-md border border-secondary-500\" type=\"submit\" value=\"\" name=\"subscribe\">Register<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/form>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"underline text-secondary-700\">Click here for the latest issue\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><!-- newsletter -->\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<p>Aset Kaliyev, Directory of the Water Security Centre at the international scientific complex &#8220;Astana,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/inbusiness.kz\/ru\/news\/v-chem-prichiny-deficita-vody-v-stolice-i-pochemu-pervymi-stradat-budut-zhenshiny\">told<\/a> \u201cInbusiness.kz,\u201d that one of the causes of the water shortage in the capital was the failure of developers to follow the general plan for city construction, \u201c<em>Having departed from the general plan, in Astana, with the approval of officials, densification and infill construction began. In turn, the infill developments began to cut into existing neighbourhoods, which already had their own load on the engineering networks. Since then, everything went &#8220;crooked and tangled&#8221;.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Nursultan Kerimkulov, head of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, the lack of water will affect the development of construction in the city, but the quality of drinking water will not be affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read more on Novastan: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/kyrgyzstan\/the-recession-of-the-tian-shan-glaciers-and-other-recent-studies\/\">The recession of the Tian Shan glaciers and other recent studies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On April 19, 2023, at a meeting on socio-economic development of the country President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uralskweek.kz\/2023\/04\/19\/prezident-kazaxstan-mozhet-vojti-v-kategoriyu-krajne-nuzhdayushhixsya-v-vode-stran\/\">noted<\/a>, that by 2050 Kazakhstan may enter the category of countries in dire need of water. The President said that the infrastructure of large cities is not able to meet the increasing demand each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;Even in Astana itself, there has begun to be a shortage of water. One of the main reasons is the increase in construction. If we are not frugal, we will not be able to eliminate the deficit, even if we launch new facilities that provide clean water,<\/em>&#8221; Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was <a href=\"https:\/\/tengrinews.kz\/kazakhstan_news\/tokaev-skazal-kazahstan-stat-ostro-nujdayuscheysya-vode-496895\/\">quoted<\/a> by the Kazakhstani news outlet \u201cTengrinews.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read more on Novastan: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/kazakhstan\/disappearing-river-can-the-ural-fate-be-averted\/\">A disappearing river: the fate of the Ural<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The problem of water shortages in Astana is not only related to the lack of design capacity of networks and pumping stations, but also to the direct shortage of water sources. Apart from the Astana reservoir, there are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energyprom.kz\/ru\/a\/monitoring\/nazad-v-srednevekove-pochti-600-tysyach-kazahstancev-zhivut-bez-vodoprovoda-kazhdaya-vtoraya-semya-na-sele-bez-kanalizacii\">no alternative<\/a> water supply options. Currently, the Ministry of Ecology of Kazakhstan is <a href=\"https:\/\/ulysmedia.kz\/news\/15528-defitsit-vody-v-astane-v-minekologii-predlozhili-tri-varianta-dlia-resheniia-problemy\/\">considering<\/a> several options to solve the problem: construction of facilities to replenish the reservoir, laying a water pipeline and taking water from the Irtysh-Karaganda water canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The crisis of water scarcity in the cities and provinces of Kazakhstan will only get worse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.inform.kz\/ru\/v-2025-godu-naselenie-kazahstana-budet-obespecheno-pit-evoy-vodoy-na-100-azimbek-pazylbekuly_a4061680\">According<\/a> to the deputy director of public utilities of Kazakhstan, the provision of centralized water supply in Kazakhstan in 2022 was 96.8%. At the same time, more than 600,000 people, meaning the remaining 3.2%, are in need of drinking water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Experts <a href=\"https:\/\/primeminister.kz\/ru\/news\/varianty-resheniya-vododefitsita-v-astane-ozvuchila-ministr-ekologii-z-suleymenova-23963\">draw attention<\/a> to bureaucratic complications that arise between government agencies at different levels and hinder the timely resolution of problems. For example, the government&#8217;s Geology Committee is responsible for water resources in Kazakhstan, while the Water Resources Committee controls pipeline infrastructure. Other local executive bodies manage network design and construction. However, not every region does the necessary work without delays. Marat Karabayev, Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energyprom.kz\/ru\/a\/monitoring\/nazad-v-srednevekove-pochti-600-tysyach-kazahstancev-zhivut-bez-vodoprovoda-kazhdaya-vtoraya-semya-na-sele-bez-kanalizacii\">made a statement<\/a> at a recent government meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read more on Novastan: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/kazakhstan\/climate-change-could-lead-to-ever-more-fluctuated-temperatures-in-central-asia\/\">Climate change could lead to ever more fluctuated temperatures in Central Asia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The water sector also <a href=\"https:\/\/ulysmedia.kz\/news\/15569-vodnyi-vopros-v-kazakhstane-problemy-i-puti-resheniia\/\">faces<\/a> significant problems of deterioration of main pipelines and urban water pipelines. Overall, the degree of wear and tear on the country&#8217;s water supply <a href=\"https:\/\/el.kz\/ru\/podvesti-tsentralnoe-vodosnabzhenie-planiruetsya-v-432-sela-kazahstana_66298\/\">networks is 43%<\/a>. However, this figure does not reflect the scale of problematic networks in all regions. The highest level of infrastructure wear is seen in Almaty (58%), East Kazakhstan (54%), Akmola (52%), Abay (51%) regions and Almaty region (57%). In contrast, Atyrau region boasts the lowest level of pipeline wear and tear &#8211; 29%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2023, a significant budget of 544 million Euros was <a href=\"https:\/\/kapital.kz\/economic\/115280\/na-stroitel-stvo-sistem-vodosnabzheniya-napravili-280-mlrd-tenge.html\">allocated<\/a> by the authorities for the construction and reconstruction of water supply and sewerage systems throughout Kazakhstan. The government of Kazakhstan <a href=\"https:\/\/vlast.kz\/novosti\/55191-pravitelstvo-planiruet-obespecit-vodoj-ostavsiesa-1395-sel-i-25-gorodov-k-2025-godu.html\">plans<\/a> to provide water to 1,395 villages and 25 cities that do not have full access to water by 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summit in Kazakhstan with back from the UN to solve the water problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On June 8 and 9, 2023, the Astana International Forum was held in the capital, which was attended by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the heads of several other states, including the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov. At the meeting, the President of Kazakhstan <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akorda.kz\/ru\/vystuplenie-prezidenta-respubliki-kazahstan-ktokaeva-na-plenarnoy-sessii-mezhdunarodnogo-foruma-astana-851830\">proposed<\/a> to hold a regional climate summit in Kazakhstan in 2026, under the supervision of the UN and other international organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;Our country offers tremendous opportunities for a green economy and become a centre for renewable energy. However, time is not on our side. To decarbonize and create a green economy at the necessary speed, we need resources and partnerships<\/em>,&#8221; the official website of the head of state \u201cAkorda\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akorda.kz\/ru\/vystuplenie-prezidenta-respubliki-kazahstan-ktokaeva-na-plenarnoy-sessii-mezhdunarodnogo-foruma-astana-851830\">quotes<\/a> Tokayev&#8217;s proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read more on Novastan:<\/strong> <a href=\"Kazakhstan: replenishing the Aral Sea\u2019s fish stocks\">Kazakhstan: replenishing the Aral Sea\u2019s fish stocks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To prevent an environmental catastrophe in the region, the country is calling for increased international support for the Aral Sea Rescue Fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>&#8220;The problem of water and climate change are closely linked. Central Asia is a region where water security can only be achieved through close cooperation and effectively selected joint measures,&#8221; <\/em>concluded the President.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>For more news and analysis from Central Asia, follow us on <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/Novastan_Eng\">Twitter<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Novastan.org\/\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/telegram.me\/novastan\">Telegram<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/fondation-novastan\/\">Linkedin<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/novastanorg\/\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since May 2023, the capital of Kazakhstan is suffering from a severe water crisis, as a result residents are now facing a shortage of drinking water. According to the government, across the country there are more than 600,000 Kazakhstanis that do not have access to drinking water. By 2050 the Republic of Kazakhstan may join [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1887,"featured_media":43202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4667,4],"tags":[4588,4705],"coauthors":[4686,4706],"class_list":["post-43201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment","category-kazakhstan","tag-climate","tag-water-shortage"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1887"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43201"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43201\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43430,"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43201\/revisions\/43430"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43202"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43201"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=43201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}