Ecology scientists are warning people of Kazakhstan of the upcoming water deficit. Their calculations show that by 2050, Kazakhstan will lose some 50% of its water reserves. We are already observing the very initial signs of that – capital city folks are experiencing water supply shortages.
Urgent Problem
Every days, every resident of Kazakhstan consumes some 3.5 thousand liters of water. If we compare out water consumption against that of Russian, that indicator will be three times lower, while in UK it is ten times less.
“We lose water at all stages of water consumption process – starting from lack of proper skills and readiness to take care of and save water sources, and onwards to water losses in the course of its transportation. Besides, we are abusing the natural sources of our rivers and streams – the foundation for our water consumption. We are polluting water with waste, thus reducing the availability of clean water” – says Bulat Yesekin, an international water management and climate change expert.
The water is used in households and for irrigation of urban vegetation. The Astana-Zelenstroy pumping station pumps water on the non-stop basis. Every tree in Astana will literally absorb some 60 liters of water, both technical and potable. That is because some areas of the city are not accessible for irrigation vehicle.
One year ago, Astana-Zelenstroy began to use subterranean water sources, and that practice helped to reduce the usage of drinking water in plants irrigation.
There is another problem that residents of Kazakhstan encounter on daily basis – Low water pressure in apartments and houses. The daily water deficit totals 300 thousand cubic meters. Those pumping stations that operate in the capital city simply do not cope with the work load. That requires some radical solutions to be implemented by the government. The question is, what particular measures will the government take.
There Are Solutions
The ultimate solution that experts offer to solve the potential water deficit problem is the water saving. If all of us realized the importance of that, we would significantly postpone the upcoming water deficit. All we need to do is to timely lock our water-taps and, in general, approach water consumption with wits and wisdom, using specific volumes for our needs.
Another problem, we may encounter is the shortage of drinking water. Modern world offers marine water desalination plants for that. And, two particular technologies – thermal treatment (water boiling and evaporation in several rounds) and reverse osmosis. Those technologies are easily managed, while energy consumption, associated with both, is rather acceptable.
In those parts of the world, where such technologies are not available, people have to consume water from hazardous sources. That goes together with the hygiene and healthcare considerations.
Precious, When Expensive
In Kazakhstan, there are six (6) ministries responsible for water management, distribution and consumption – all with their own areas of jurisdiction and competences.
Ministry of National Economy is responsible for water delivery, while Ministry of Industry and Infrastructural Development oversees the water discharge and utilization. Agri-industrial complex and Ministry of Agriculture also have their portions of control over the process. Likewise, do local executive administration bodies. Experts report that all those bodies are not very good at working together in harmony and good coordination. That is why, another urgent question before Kazakhstan is the creation of a new Ministry for Water Resources.
For example we can add some 7.4 kilometers of irrigation networks to irrigation channel system, as well as expand territories, where we apply water-saving technologies, such as sprinkler irrigation and precision irrigation. Our government reports they have plans to design the waste water management program envisaging residuary water and collector and drainage water systems.
To do something else, one good thing could be increasing water tariffs, although it will be of financial burden.
Resuming above, it appears, that the new legislation should envision things, like modern technology, as well as prevention of corruption. Corruption does not only pose threat to water management, but everything in this country.
