Residents of Balkhash were left without water in 40-degree heat due to an accident at the main pumping station.
According to Tengrinews.kz, the shutdown of cold water at the pumping station occurred due to a fire in oil insulators, which knocked out the transformer and pumping equipment at the deep wells.
"A switch was made to the backup line. Due to the failure of the pumping equipment in the wells, the water supply to the city, the Balkhash station, and the Konurat microdistrict has been temporarily suspended. The main reservoir is currently being filled. Water supply time is approximately 14:00. We plan to fix the accident by 12:00 and restore the operation of the deep wells by 21:00. We apologise for the inconvenience", said the Akim of Balkhash, Sapar Satayev.
It is reported that the Akim is at the accident site and is personally monitoring the situation. Three teams from the municipal utility company are dealing with the accident. This is at least 16 people. It has become known that water tankers have been deployed in the city. They are primarily providing water to socially significant facilities.
It is worth noting that this is not the first such incident in Balkhash. In April last year, local residents were without water for five days due to a burst on the main water pipeline right next to the main pumping station.
After the accident was resolved, it became known that the director of "Balkhash su" had been dismissed from their post. Then the Akim of the Karaganda region, Yermaganbet Bulekpaev, announced the need to purchase equipment for the stable operation of the water pipeline. He stated that a survey of the 22 km network needed to be carried out.