In Shymkent, work on cleaning the city's rivers and canals has been actively ongoing since the end of April 2025. This is an important and timely initiative aimed at improving water infrastructure, preventing possible floods and generally improving the environmental situation in the metropolis. According to the city authorities, the work is systemic and covers the main waterways, as well as small canals passing through residential areas.

Since early spring, Shymkent has been facing risks of rising ground and surface water levels. Heavy rainfall, melting snow and household waste accumulating in riverbeds have often caused local flooding, especially in densely populated areas. That is why it was decided to urgently carry out deep cleaning of reservoirs and sewer branches, as well as carry out preventive work to strengthen the banks and ensure the free flow of water.

These activities involve the use of specialized equipment and manual labor. Workers clear the bottom and banks of accumulated sediment, silt, stones, branches and debris. Particular attention is paid to areas where the water used to stagnate, which led to an unpleasant odor and the proliferation of insects. Now such areas are being restored, and the water flow returns to its natural channel.

The main goal of these events, according to representatives of public utilities, is not only to prevent flooding, but also to improve the state of the urban ecosystem in the long term. Regular cleaning of riverbeds helps maintain the health of rivers, improves water quality, and helps certain species of birds, fish, and insects that have disappeared due to pollution return to the urban environment.

It should be noted that the current work differs from that carried out in previous years. For example, in 2022 and 2023, the city also organized the cleaning of canals and rivers, but these events were, as a rule, one-time and timed to coincide with spring clean-up days or preparation for the flood period. Then, only the most problematic areas were cleaned, and the cleaning was most often carried out in emergency mode after complaints from local residents.

In 2024, an attempt was made to move to a systemic prevention model. City services conducted a survey of hydraulic structures and several dozen kilometers of waterways. However, real large-scale work was never implemented due to a lack of funding and weather conditions.

Unlike previous years, the current campaign is more extensive and well-thought-out. Not only municipal enterprises participate in the work, but also contractors, volunteers and residents of individual areas. The condition of water bodies is monitored daily, the water level is controlled and drainage devices are inspected.

Particular attention is paid to canals used for agricultural purposes. In anticipation of the summer irrigation season, it is important that water reaches the fields without obstruction. Clogged canals can cause interruptions in water supply, which will directly affect crop yields. Therefore, cleaning canals plays an important role in the agricultural sustainability of the region.

From an environmental point of view, such events help restore the water balance, reduce the amount of harmful emissions into the soil and water bodies, and reduce the risk of epidemiological diseases. Stagnant, polluted water is an ideal environment for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. And open, free-flowing channels are not only safe, but also an element of urban aesthetics.

In addition, restored banks and cleaned channels create a more comfortable environment for city residents. Walking areas, green spaces, and recreation areas for families with children can be arranged on the basis of cleaned channels. All this forms the image of a modern city in which nature and urbanization coexist in harmony.

It is also worth noting the active participation of the public. After the city administration called for joint responsibility for cleanliness and order, volunteers, schoolchildren, and representatives of non-governmental organizations became active in many areas. A series of environmental campaigns are taking place, where residents clean the banks themselves, plant trees along the canals, and install information boards about careful treatment of water bodies.

Such events also have a positive effect on the environmental awareness of the population. People begin to understand that a clean environment is not only the concern of public utilities, but also the personal responsibility of each person. This contributes to the formation of a long-term culture of sustainable living.

Thus, the current work on cleaning canals and rivers in Shymkent is an exemplary initiative that can become a model for other cities in the country. It demonstrates that sustainable management of natural resources is possible provided that the government and society closely cooperate. This approach not only provides a prompt solution to current problems, but also forms a strategic basis for protecting the environment in the future.

In the long term, purified and equipped water bodies will become an integral part of the city infrastructure: both engineering and social. This is a step towards a more environmentally friendly, safe and comfortable city, where people live in harmony with nature.