In Kokshetau, a critical condition has been identified in the ash dump basin currently under construction for Kokshetau Zhylu. The public council of the Akmola Region warns that if work is not urgently completed, an environmental catastrophe could occur.
According to the Telegram channel HALYQSTAN, a spring inspection of the facility revealed a collapse of the geomembrane, a key element of the ash dump basin's protective layer. The cause was a miscalculation in the engineering design: the structure could not withstand the load of 90 tonnes.
It is noted that the facility is located less than three kilometres from residential settlements, making the potential risks to the environment and residents' health particularly dangerous.
Meanwhile, the Akim of Kokshetau, Anuar Kumpekeyev, stated that a technical solution to reinforce the structure has been found and that the ash dump will be put in order before the start of the heating season.
"We will enter the heating season without any problems; we will additionally prepare around 15,000 cubic metres of grit to have a reserve in case the repairs carried out prove insufficient," said Kumpekeyev.
However, according to public activists, while procedures are ongoing, the question remains open: will the authorities and contractors manage to prevent a potential environmental catastrophe?