Residents of Sarkan in Kazakhstan's Zhetysu region are complaining about the quality of their drinking water. After rains, muddy water flows from taps, making it unusable for drinking, reports infohub.kz.
Residents say they are forced to collect water in large containers and let it settle, but even then it remains unsuitable. Many are buying bottled water.
The regional akimat explained that the district center gets its water from the Sarkan River, which is fed by mountain glaciers. In summer, with temperatures of 40–50°C, the water level rises sharply, causing turbidity. Additionally, water consumption increases from 5,000–6,000 cubic meters in winter to 20,000–30,000 cubic meters in summer, so the water does not have enough time to fully settle.
To address the issue, work was carried out in 2024–2025: the main water intake structure was repaired, the intake basin was expanded, water intake pipes were replaced and enlarged, the shoreline was reinforced, 1.2 kilometers of water supply networks were renewed, and the reservoir, washing system, and emergency drainage system were reconstructed. Additionally, three sedimentation tanks with a total capacity of 3,750 cubic meters were overhauled.
Officials noted that the modernization increased treatment efficiency to 70–80% compared to previous years. However, this summer, the river's water level reached its highest point in 25 years, exacerbating the turbidity. During cleaning of the sedimentation tanks and flushing of the networks, residents may temporarily still experience muddy water.
The akimat added that the problem is expected to be fully resolved by deepening the sedimentation tanks, widening the riverbed, and installing a filtration station. After these measures, the quality of drinking water should improve significantly.