In the city of Shymkent, systematic work is being carried out to provide the population with clean drinking water. In particular, 12 drinking water fountains have been installed in the Al-Farabi district, providing residents with free and accessible water right in public places. These facilities have become an integral part of the city's infrastructure, especially in hot climates, when access to quality water is not only a matter of convenience, but also health.

The fountains are located in the busiest areas of the district: near public transport stops, on alleys, near markets and schools. Thanks to this, every resident, be it a schoolchild, a pensioner or just a passerby, can use water without buying it in bottles. In the context of rising prices and the need to save, such solutions are especially in demand.

Water purification and sanitary maintenance of these devices are under constant control of district public utilities. According to the local administration, sanitary treatment is carried out every second day, the pressure and flow of water are checked, as well as the state of filtration. In addition, the services monitor that no foreign substances or dust get into the system, which is especially important in windy weather.

An important aspect is the technical condition of the fountains. All of them are connected to the centralized water supply system, and are equipped with special filters for additional cleaning. According to the schedule, specialists inspect the technical part, regulate the pressure and carry out disinfection. If failures in the system are detected, they are eliminated within a few hours.

The initiative to install such devices was first implemented in the district in 2023. The first three fountains became a kind of experiment. Questions arose at the time: would it be safe, how good would the water be, who would service the equipment. However, residents quickly appreciated the innovation, and positive feedback became an incentive to expand the network.

Last year, compared to this year, the system of care for such objects was less organized: in some places, fountains failed due to blockages or untimely cleaning. This year, the approach was revised - now utility services work according to clear regulations, and each fountain has a responsible employee. If necessary, volunteers and activists are involved in the work, who help clean the adjacent territory.

Regular laboratory tests are conducted to control the quality of water. The results of the latest measurements showed that the water fully complies with sanitary standards. The chlorination level does not exceed the permissible values, microbiological indicators are normal. This is especially important, since we are talking about water that is consumed in the hot season directly on the street.

The Al-Farabi District Administration is asking residents to take good care of city property. In recent months, there have been cases of vandalism, with some fountains damaged. This not only increases the cost of their restoration, but also temporarily deprives residents of access to an important resource. In this regard, it is also planned to conduct explanatory events among young people and students aimed at cultivating a culture of public behavior.

It is worth noting that the practice of installing drinking fountains is already used in other cities of Kazakhstan, but it is in Shymkent that it has received the greatest development. Unlike previously implemented projects, here special attention is paid not only to installation, but also to further maintenance. This became the determining factor of success.

Compared to similar initiatives implemented in 2022–2023 in other districts of Shymkent, it can be noted that at first, the main focus was only on the appearance of the devices. However, over time, it became obvious that without proper control over water quality, regular maintenance, and interaction with the population, such facilities lose their effectiveness. Al-Farabi district took these mistakes into account and developed a more balanced approach.

The administration plans to expand the network of fountains. By the end of this year, it is planned to install 6 more devices, including in new residential areas, where the issue of water supply is especially acute. The possibility of installing sensor models with automatic drainage is also being considered, which will avoid stagnant water and improve the hygiene of use.

Thus, the installation and maintenance of drinking fountains becomes part of a broader policy of the city administration to improve the quality of life and maintain public health. It is important that such decisions are not limited to individual districts, but become part of the city program at the level of the whole of Shymkent.

The initiative, aimed at caring for city residents, was highly appreciated by residents who use the new infrastructure every day. This is an example of how even simple and understandable measures, if properly implemented and monitored, can significantly improve people's comfort and well-being.