More than 80% of hydraulic structures on the balance sheet of the utility company «Shygys su Koimalary» in the East Kazakhstan region require urgent repairs or complete reconstruction. Of the 33 dams and one control lock managed by the enterprise, only five objects were recognized as serviceable and not in need of repair. The remaining 28 structures pose a potential threat and require immediate restoration measures. This was announced by the head of the department of natural resources and environmental management of East Kazakhstan region Arman Yesentaev at the regular XXII session of the regional maslikhat.
The regional authorities have already begun to solve the most pressing problems. In 2024, the development of design estimates for the overhaul of the Lailinskoye reservoir in the Samar region was completed, for which 7.3 million tenge were allocated, and a multifactor survey worth 7 million tenge was carried out. Currently, the design documentation is undergoing state examination, after which it will be possible to begin repair work. In addition, safety declarations totaling 72 million tenge have been developed for six hydraulic structures of the third hazard class. This affected reservoirs on the rivers Dresvyanka, Zhartas, Tayynty, Peschanka, Ulanka and Eshkibay reservoir. Current repairs of two dams were carried out in the Shemonaikha and Glubokovsky districts.
According to expert recommendations, the reconstruction of the Lailinskoye reservoir is a priority. This year, 67 million tenge has already been allocated from the regional budget to begin developing project documentation for five more important facilities. This list includes a storage pond on the Makhovka River, reservoirs on the Ablaketka, Dresvyanka, Taiynty rivers, as well as the Eshkinbay reservoir. To fully complete the design work and obtain state examination for these five dams, an additional 108.4 million tenge will be required next year.
The reservoir on the Ulanka River in the Ulansky district requires special attention, the design of repairs of which requires 45 million tenge. Thus, the total funding requirement for the development of documentation for six priority dams alone is 229 million tenge, not counting the cost of the construction and installation work itself.
The problem of deterioration of hydraulic structures is not limited to objects on the balance sheet «Shygys su Koimalary». Another 24 similar structures are under the jurisdiction of district akimats. According to the requirements of the Water Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, local authorities are obliged to approve and agree with the basin water inspectorate on the use regimes of these facilities and issue permits for special water use. This work by district akimats should begin in the near future.
To complete the picture, it is worth noting that about 60 more hydraulic structures are in republican ownership in the East Kazakhstan region, including six large reservoirs, seven hydroelectric complexes, 43 canals and two shipping locks. The scale of the problem requires an integrated approach and significant investment at all levels of government to ensure the security of the region’s water infrastructure.
