Tengrinews.kz — Heavy rainfall in Almaty has caused a sharp rise in water levels at Lake Sairan. Residents report that the water has reached the sidewalks in some areas, and the pontoon bridge has been closed to the public. The Almaty Akimat provided an explanation for the situation.
"Swirling Debris"
On social media, Almaty residents are posting photos and videos of Lake Sairan, where water levels have risen significantly following torrential rains.
According to the author of one post, the water has risen almost to the level of the sidewalk, and debris is seen swirling on the surface.
"There is a lot of trash in the lake, circling like a slow-motion whirlpool. The pontoon bridge is 'unconvincingly closed.' On one of the banks, they are laying stones to reinforce the shoreline, where the water is almost level with the pavement. Can someone explain how stones are supposed to save the situation? I don't understand," the author shared.
"For Safety Reasons" – Official Statement from the Akimat
The Almaty Akimat reported that the heavy rains significantly increased the inflow of water into Lake Sairan via the Bolshaya Almatinka River channel.
The water flow brought branches and household waste into the lake. The Akimat stated that employees of "Zhasyl Almaty" are currently working to clean the lake's waters.
"Access to the pontoon bridge across the lake has been temporarily restricted. This is strictly a preventive measure and will remain in effect until the hydrological situation stabilizes, the water level drops, and a technical inspection of the pontoon structure is completed," the Akimat reported.
City officials also addressed the issue of the stones on the shoreline that caused concern among residents.
"In one section of the shoreline, work is being carried out to replace the stone filler in gabion structures to strengthen the existing coastal defenses and prevent potential erosion of the shoreline."
As a reminder, on July 1, Almaty residents were warned of a persisting threat of mudflows in mountainous areas due to heavy rains. A local emergency alert system was activated in the Nauryzbay district, and some citizens also received emergency notifications on their mobile phones.
Why Swimming is Prohibited at Sairan
Some residents and visitors are asking whether swimming will be permitted in the lake once the work is completed.
The editorial office Tengrinews.kz previously requested comments from the Almaty Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control. It was revealed that in May, specialists from the Auezov and Almaly districts conducted water sampling at Sairan for microbiological, sanitary-chemical, and parasitological indicators.
The results for the Almaly district were as follows: the water does not meet hygiene standards for the LPC index (lactose-positive coliforms) and dissolved oxygen levels. Samples for the Auezov district were taken on May 26 and are still being processed.
November 2025 / Photo by Bolat Aitmolda
Sanitary doctors reported that the situation remains unchanged compared to last year: the water still fails to meet sanitary and chemical standards.
"District specialists have not identified specific sources of water pollution this year. However, we believe the main cause is pollution through tributaries. The Bolshaya Almatinka River flows into Sairan, and everything that enters it upstream—household waste, trash, sewage—ends up in the lake. This is confirmed by laboratory results showing E. coli as a result of fecal contamination," the department reported.
To address the issue, the department suggests organizing joint raids along the Bolshaya Almatinka riverbed to identify and prosecute violators who dump waste.
The water quality of Lake Sairan is monitored under sanitary and epidemiological supervision from May to September. Tests are conducted once a month.
Conditions for Resuming Swimming at Sairan
The department emphasized that the official ban on swimming in Lake Sairan remains in effect today. Specialists explained the conditions under which residents might be allowed back into the water.
They stated that swimming will be possible only after the completion of landscaping, the issuance of a sanitary-epidemiological conclusion, and confirmation that the water meets hygiene standards.
Sairan Landscaping Controversy
The renovation of the Sairan Reservoir became one of the most discussed projects by Almaty authorities in 2025. It was initially planned that the contractor, JSC Pavlodar River Port, would finish the work by May 2025; however, the facility was officially commissioned only in December 2025.
Photo: ©️ Tengrinews.kz / Bolat Aitmolda
Photo: ©️ Tengrinews.kz / Bolat Aitmolda
The contracting company paid over 23 million tenge in penalties.
In August, it emerged that the city administration had sued the general contractor for late and poor-quality fulfillment of contractual obligations. In September, the court blacklisted the company as an unreliable supplier and ordered it to complete the reconstruction and fulfill its contractual duties.
"By the decision of the Specialized Inter-district Economic Court of Almaty, a penalty for the late completion of work was recovered in the amount of 23,185,965.11 tenge, as well as a state fee of 699,511 tenge," the Department of Public Space Development stated in response to an inquiry from the editors.
The department also clarified that the court of appeals had overturned the decision to recognize the company as an unreliable participant in public procurement.