Kazakhstan has begun inspecting car washes after an order from President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev, with several facilities in Almaty already cut off from the water supply, infohub.kz reports.
According to the city akimat's press service, the utility Almaty Su has tightened control over water consumption. In the Auezov district, all 60 car washes were inspected.
"The results showed that 90% of the facilities use recirculating water systems that allow water to be treated and reused. Another seven car washes had not introduced such systems — they were disconnected from the water supply," the statement said.
Water service can be restored once the necessary equipment is installed and its operation is verified. Inspections will continue across all districts of Almaty, with illegal connections to the networks under particular scrutiny.
The move follows President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev's address to the nation on Kazakhstan's water shortage, in which he demanded an end to the use of drinking water at car washes.
Vice Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Zhandos Salimov later outlined plans to tighten control over water use at car washes.