Mass fish die-off in the Badam River in Shymkent, previously reported by city residents, occurred after wastewater entered the river. An environmental inspection showed that the pollution was caused by a rupture in a sewer pipe on the territory of the “Ońtústik” special economic zone. The enterprise “StroyGarant XXI” LLP has been brought to administrative responsibility.
HOW ECOLOGISTS DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE POLLUTION
According to Informburo.kz, the inspection began after a video showing dozens and hundreds of dead fish along the embankment appeared on social media. Inspectors from the Department of Ecology visited the site and took water samples both from the Badam River itself and from the wastewater entering the river through the pipe.
Analysis established that a sewer pipe rupture occurred in the Enbekshinsky District of Shymkent. The pipeline runs through the territory of the “Ońtústik” special economic zone, and through it, polluted effluents entered the river over several hours.
WHICH ENTERPRISE WAS HELD RESPONSIBLE
Following an unscheduled inspection, “StroyGarant XXI” LLP was brought to administrative responsibility.
As reported by the head of the Department of Ecology, Yermakhan Kozybayev, the enterprise was penalised under Article 331 of the Administrative Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for violation of environmental requirements. The company was also issued an order to eliminate the identified violations.
SCALE OF THE DAMAGE
According to ecologists, 902.6 kg of fish died as a result of the pollution.
Total damage to the state has been estimated at 2.3 million tenge.
HOW THE INSPECTION BEGAN
The incident occurred on 3 February, when residents of Shymkent discovered a large amount of dead fish along the embankment of the Badam River. After the video appeared on social media, ecologists launched an investigation.
Initially, specialists suggested that an acid solution might have entered the sewer system, which then ended up in the river.
The head of the testing laboratory of the Department of Ecology, Akmaral Nysanbekova, noted that such substances are prohibited from being discharged, even through the sewer system — they must be neutralised beforehand at local treatment facilities.
Ecologists also reported an inspection of the water utility “Water Resources Marketing” LLP, which was initiated to identify the possible source of the acid solution discharge.