H2O: HOW AMANZHOLOV UNIVERSITY OVERCOMES WATER CRISIS

The Head of State repeatedly spoke about the need to modernize the infrastructure for wastewater treatment and solve the problem of pollution of water bodies.
Scientists of S. Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University have developed innovative domestic filters for water purification, which are suitable for both households and production process.

The development instantly attracted the interest of the Government and won funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Recently, East Kazakhstan University purchased L-BW 380 equipment worth more than 125,000,000 tenge. The new equipment will provide quality manufacturing of housings required for filters.

It is planned to enter the market within a year. During this time, a group of scientists should undergo technical training
and prepare a working platform for mass production.

The project “Production of composite filtering materials for purification of water objects” is aimed at solving the urgent world problem – low quality of fresh water. East Kazakhstan University scientists promise to set up production of filtering composite sorbents based on biopolymers, ceramic, carbon materials modified with graphite oxide with assembly into cartridges, as well as manufacturing of enclosures on the basis of the university.

From now on, the population of the country is guaranteed efficient and favorable removal of pollutants such as heavy metals, microorganisms and organic compounds. The first domestic filters will be more affordable than their Russian counterparts. And the service life of domestic filters will be 4-5 months.

-According to the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources, about 70% of the country’s surface water bodies are subject to serious pollution. This situation is aggravated by industrial enterprises, especially in East Kazakhstan and Pavlodar regions. About 20% of wastewater from industrial sources is not properly treated before discharge. I’m sure our look at modernizing treatment facilities will solve this problem,” said project leader and senior researcher at the university, Telek Kuanyshbekov.

Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University’s concern for water resources doesn’t end there. The regional alma mater is training a new generation of hydro specialists.
The educational program “Hydroecology, Management and Transboundary Water Security” was introduced two years ago. Its main goal is to train personnel who apply geoinformation methods of hydroresources monitoring and are able to organize activities taking into account environmental norms and standards for rational water use.
Thus, East Kazakhstan University trains an impressive pool of hydrologists, hydrochemists, mudflow specialists, glaciologists and GIS specialists in nature management.