Kazphosphate Waste Main Environmental Problem of Taraz

Kazphosphate waste in the industrial part of Taraz is the cause of poor ecology, Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan, Serikkali Brekeshev, said at a meeting with residents of Zhambyl region.

"We have analyzed the environmental problems of the region. The main ones are: atmospheric air pollution, an imperfect waste management system, outdated CBS and waste dumps (phosphogypsum) in the industrial part of the city of Taraz from Kazphosphate LLP,"

Minister Brekeshev

Taraz is the only regional centre where there are no treatment facilities. Wastewater enters filtration fields that are outdated.

"The lack of treatment facilities leads to a deterioration in the quality of drinking water for residents of nearby settlements of Zhambyl district, as well as to waterlogging of agricultural land and flooding of settlements,"

Minister Brekeshev

A similar situation is noted in all district centres of the region: Shu, Zhanatas and Karatau.

The authorities are planning to build a new sewage treatment plant. The akimat has been instructed to speed up the work.

According to the minister, within five years it is planned to conduct a regional geological study of the subsoil in the country on an area of more than 680 thousand square kilometres. This includes 26 thousand square kilometres in the Zhambyl region.

Original Author: Aisha Kutubayeva