Residents of the Zhetysu region are complaining about foul-smelling waste near the Aksu Sugar Factory. According to them, waste from beet processing is being stored on the adjacent land, which is accompanied by a strong odour. Ecologists have confirmed the fact of waste dumping, but the company denies any involvement.
According to the 'Kazinform' news agency, the regional ecology department reported that no official complaints from citizens or government bodies regarding this matter had been received.
It is noted that specialists from the department and representatives of local executive authorities visited the site to verify the accuracy of the reports.
"Based on the results of the inspection, it has been established that the facts set out in the publication are confirmed — the storage of beet processing waste, accompanied by an unpleasant smell, is indeed observed on the territory adjacent to the enterprise," the department reported.
For their part, representatives of Aksu Kant LLP denied the information about the discharge or storage of waste outside the factory premises. The company stated that they process exclusively sugar beet and do not generate toxic or industrial waste.
"The by-products — beet pulp and tails — are used in agriculture as feed and fertiliser. The water after washing is treated in radial settling tanks and sent to filtration fields, which complies with environmental requirements," the company's response states.
The company also reported that the specified area does not belong to the enterprise's territory.
As it became known, the Aksu Sugar Factory remains the only town-forming enterprise in the district. Last year, it processed about 500 thousand tonnes of sugar beet supplied from Zhetysu, Almaty and Zhambyl regions.