About a hundred dams and dams in the east of Kazakhstan require overhaul

In the East Kazakhstan region, non-functioning and dilapidated hydraulic structures began to be phased out of operation. We are talking about dams that do not perform their function and have not accumulated water for decades. But at the same time, they formally remain on the balance sheet and can annually “eat up” budget funds. This was reported in the Yertis basin inspection.

At least four such objects have been identified in the region: one each in the Samara and Glubokovsky districts and 2 in Shemonaiha. Their condition is recognized as emergency and economically inexpedient for recovery. The anti-corruption service of East Kazakhstan Region notes that the funds allocated for the maintenance of these dams were actually used in vain. Now the objects are subject to complete liquidation.

— We have identified cases when money was allocated annually for old hydraulic structures, but in fact no maintenance was carried out. Moreover, the water in them has not accumulated for a long time. At the same time, many functioning dams are in unsatisfactory condition and need urgent repair,” Denis Shakenov, head of the regional department of the Anti—Corruption Agency, commented on the situation.

According to the results of inspections, it turned out that out of 132 dams and dams registered in the region, 89 require major repairs. Surveys have shown that the degree of their wear reaches 60-70%, and in some cases approaches 90%.

At the same time, most of these structures continue to perform an important function — they provide water supply to agricultural land, contribute to the development of irrigated agriculture and protect settlements from floods. Such facilities should become a priority for financing and control, experts are sure.

However, today at the local level there are not always the resources and competencies to serve them. In district akimats, there are often no specialists in hydraulic engineering who could monitor the water balance and the technical condition of facilities.

— In the spring, no one knows how much water comes in, how much is consumed, and whether this structure can hold volumes. There are no necessary frames, there is no control. Therefore, we decided to transfer part of the facilities to the management of a professional organization serving the hydraulic structures of the region, which has the necessary staff,” said Deputy head of the Yertis Basin Inspection Ernar Madiev.

We are talking about 24 hydraulic structures that are planned to be removed from the balance of district akimats and transferred to the public utility company “Shygys su koymalary”. It is expected that centralized management will make it possible to establish regular technical inspection, prompt response to threats and more efficient allocation of water resources.

Earlier, the relevant instructions were sent to the regional akimat. The departments emphasize that this is not only about rational spending of the budget, but also about the safety of residents and the preservation of the water potential of the region.

Earlier it was reported that more than 130 hydraulic structures in Kazakhstan will undergo a multifactorial examination.

Nelly Nigmatullina (Kazinform)