Medical and social challenges of safely managed water supply in Kazakhstan

Drinking water quality remains one of the key determinants of public health and sanitary-epidemiological well-being. Despite the progress with access to centralized water supply systems in the Republic of Kazakhstan, several medical and social challenges remain, including unequal access to safe drinking water, particularly in rural areas, deteriorating infrastructure, contamination of surface and groundwater sources, and insufficient efficiency of water treatment and quality monitoring systems.

The aim of this review was to analyze current scientific data on the major issues of drinking water supply and the impact of water quality on public health in Kazakhstan. This review used a combined approach, including the analysis of scientific literature, international reports and official statistical data. Searches were conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, eLibrary, and Google Scholar databases, as well as official websites of the WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and governmental authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan. A total of 38 sources were included in the review. The findings indicate that drinking water in several regions of Kazakhstan exceeds permissible limits for certain chemical parameters, including nitrates, arsenic, lead, iron and mercury, due to both natural geochemical characteristics and anthropogenic impacts. Cases of microbiological contamination have also been reported, particularly in rural areas and during flood periods. Potential risks associated with both conventional and emerging contaminants, including PFAS and microplastics, are analyzed. Long-term consumption of contaminated water is associated with an increased risk of infectious, cardiovascular, oncological, nephrological, and reproductive disorders, especially among vulnerable population groups. A comparative analysis of drinking water quality standards in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the WHO, and the EU revealed that national regulations are less stringent for certain carcinogenic substances. The findings highlight the need to modernize water supply infrastructure, improve the regulatory framework, strengthen laboratory monitoring, and implement advanced water treatment technologies to ensure access to safe drinking water for the population of Kazakhstan.

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