Founder of the FBRK, journalist Kirill Pavlov, warned of the risk of a breach at the Sorbulak reservoir, where wastewater from Almaty is discharged.
In his Telegram channel, Pavlov reported that the document prepared by the authors, "Comprehensive Study of Low-Pressure Earth Dams of the Sorbulak Lake Wastewater Reservoir", does not reflect the real picture of what is happening.
"In the study, the authors R.R. Iskanderov and Zh.T. Tleuova of the U.M. Akhmedsafin Institute of Hydrogeology and Geoecology (IHG) see a problem, but they draw the wrong conclusions. More precisely, they see the issues, but they don't consider them a problem.", the statement reads.
The official conclusion states that the seismic stability of the Sorbulak lake dams will not change over the next few decades.
In turn, Kirill Pavlov conducted an analysis of visual and spectral images and identified a wide zone of excessive moisture behind the dam, which indicates intensive water filtration through the base of the dam. 
Furthermore, the analyst identified possible salt and suffusion deposits and a disruption in the vegetation structure within the filtration zone, which indicates a chronic impact from moisture.
"One day, the 'filtration process' will wear a path for itself and create a tiny trickle, which will instantly turn into a river and wash away everything downstream from the village," warns Pavlov.
In his opinion, the soil composition of the reservoir exacerbates the risks of stability loss. It is also noted that the facility is being operated in conditions of high seismic activity, which increases the potential danger.
In conclusion, Pavlov made recommendations to prevent a breach of the Sorbulak reservoir:
- conduct an unscheduled engineering and hydrogeological survey involving independent experts;
- establish monitoring of moisture levels, temperature anomalies, and piezometric pressure;
- assess the actual condition of the drainage system and the filtration front;
- consider strengthening the dam body or grouting the foundation.
The full analysis by the expert is available via the link.
Incidentally, the brewing problem with Lake Sorbulak was written about back in 2013 by journalist Mikhail Kozachkov.
"Based on the results of the research work, it was concluded that the lake could wash away several settlements located downstream. Over 50,000 people are in the zone of potential flooding," wrote Kozachkov.
Recall that earlier, in the village of Besagash in the Talgar district of the Almaty region, an illegal narrowing of the Kotybulak River bed caused flooding of seven household plots and a medical centre.