In the Al-Farabi district of Shymkent, drinking fountains installed at 12 locations today provide residents with clean and free water. These devices are located in public places - parks, bus stops, markets and pedestrian areas. Such a decision not only provides hundreds of people with the opportunity to drink water every day, but is also an important initiative aimed at improving the sanitary situation in the city as a whole.

The district akimat and municipal government agencies monitor the sanitary cleanliness of fountains: special technical maintenance is performed daily, water channels are inspected, and water quality is measured hourly.

The three fountains, first installed as a small pilot project in 2023, caused heated debate: some residents and sanitation experts questioned the reliability of the water quality. During that period, several technical defects or low water pressure were recorded. However, local authorities took these criticisms into account and tightened technical standards: water filtration devices were upgraded and brought into line with sanitary standards. A concrete step was taken to turn the fragile initiative into a sustainable and large-scale operation.

In 2024, the number of fountains increased to eight and the service system was improved. The chemical and microbiological analysis of water was moved from twice a week to daily. Public servants and volunteers also played an active role in ensuring the cleanliness of the area around the fountains, saying that everyone should be an example to others.

In another similar city, Taraz, fountains installed in the initial projects often had technical problems and pollution. In the Al-Farabi district, systematic monitoring and maintenance by mobile teams will be strengthened by 2025. A QR code will be placed in front of each fountain, and residents can use it to check the quality of the water online. Several residents have uploaded photos of the fountains and made requests such as “warming up the water” or “carrying out special cleaning.”

Most importantly, a special schedule was established to constantly monitor the sanitary condition of the fountains: at least one sanitary inspection per day, two water quality measurements, and water level indicators by special personnel who draw water. These measures helped restore public confidence.

Another social significance of installing drinking water fountains is socio-economic accessibility. Access to free clean water is a great help for low-income families and citizens who spend a lot of time on the street. Those who previously had to buy water now get water from fountains, reducing their expenses.

To increase respect for public property, the akimat called on residents to use fountains carefully. People are urged not to damage the devices and not to throw away unpurchased waste in order to contribute to leaving a clean environment for the next generation. In this regard, environmental education work has been intensified among students, and classes and drawing competitions on the theme "A clean fountain is your right" have been announced in schools.

This year, during the testing of more than 200 drinking water samples for the 12 mentioned fountains, it was determined that the chlorine content did not exceed the regulatory limits. Prior to this result, the testing was carried out more accurately and more frequently. In addition, an analysis of local microflora was carried out with specific indicators.

While last year several fountains were temporarily closed due to water quality issues, this year's robust technical monitoring system means that such risks are virtually non-existent. If a defect occurs, efforts are made to correct it within 2 hours.

For comparison, other districts often hold clean-up drives and communal services, but regular monitoring of drinking fountains is an exception. This is an effective combination of digital and social efforts and legal obligations aimed at protecting the health of residents.

Such projects are under the jurisdiction of the city akim - specific measures taken to preserve the ecology, improve the environment and infrastructure. The model of the Karatau district will be expanded throughout the city of Shymkent, and it is planned to increase the number of water fountains and introduce a system of permanent access in other districts.

In conclusion, the active period of the fountain's operation, which began on August 2, 2025, brought tangible benefits to residents. Residents not only gained access to clean drinking water, but also became involved in social responsibility and public culture. This event set an important example in the development of environmental culture and the careful use of water resources. May such work continue systematically in the future!