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Almaty is grappling with a persistent issue: the state of its public restrooms. Despite significant annual budget allocations for their upkeep، the reality on the ground often falls short of expectations. An investigation has uncovered that many facilities are not up to standard، with some even remaining closed.

Millions Allocated، But Where Are They؟

An analysis of public procurement in six of Almaty's eight districts revealed that approximately 355 million tenge has been earmarked solely for the maintenance of existing public toilets. However، these facilities are not evenly distributed across the city. They are concentrated in parks and green spaces، making them difficult to find in outlying areas.

Finding Facilities Proves Difficult

Even locating these public restrooms proves challenging. Online searches for "public toilet" often yield results for cafes and restaurants. While some actual public toilets are marked on maps، pinpointing their exact location and accessibility can be a struggle.

Investigation Reveals Poor Conditions

Journalists who visited several public restrooms observed conditions that did not meet the standards outlined in tender documents. Common issues included broken doors، dirt، a lack of soap and toilet paper، and non-functional hand dryers. The discrepancy between the documented descriptions and the actual state of these facilities was stark.

Alarmingly، even some restrooms in well-known central locations were found to be closed or poorly maintained. City administrations، however، maintain that the situation is under control.

Past Controversies Plague Infrastructure

This is not the first time Almaty's public toilet infrastructure has been mired in controversy. Previously، the procurement of 20 modular toilets faced scrutiny. Audits and expert reviews indicated that the costs were significantly inflated and the units did not meet technical requirements. A court later ruled to recover damages from the contractor.

Additionally، toilets installed as part of construction near Sairan Lake were reported to be non-operational or poorly equipped for a long period after their supposed handover.

Successful Models Offer Hope

Despite these challenges، successful examples of public toilet organization exist within Kazakhstan. In Shymkent، modern "Japanese-style" toilets were installed in 2024 through a partnership between a university and the local administration، without direct budget funding. These facilities charge a nominal fee of two tenge and are noted for their cleanliness.

Almaty itself has seen a positive development with the opening of a new format modular toilet in the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park. This facility is also popular among tourists، praised for its cleanliness and amenities. These projects serve as good examples of efficient budget use and responsiveness to citizens' needs.

Public Toilets: A Measure of Civic Culture

Public restrooms are more than just a basic necessity؛ they reflect a city's well-being and its attitude towards its residents. They are a public health issue. When significant funds are allocated by authorities، but the resulting facilities are closed or in disrepair، it signifies not only wasted money but also a lack of accountability and disregard for the public.

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