Cholpon-Ata Launches First-Ever Centralized Sewage System Project

In a significant move toward sustainable tourism and environmental protection, Kyrgyz Minister of Construction Nurdan Oruntaev signed an agreement with firms from China, Turkey, and Uzbekistan to build treatment facilities, pump stations, and sewer collectors in Cholpon-Ata, a city on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul. The project is being financed by the Asian Development Bank as part of the national “Environmental Management of Issyk-Kul” program. It aims to improve ecological conditions and support sustainable tourism development by establishing a unified sewage system for Cholpon-Ata and nearby settlements, including Bosteri, Kara-Oi, and Baktuu-Dolonotu. “The project aims to ensure balanced economic development with a focus on innovation and environmentally friendly technologies. Its key objective is to preserve the unique ecosystem of the lake,” the Ministry of Construction stated. Environmental Measures Ahead of Tourist Season Ahead of the 2025 tourist season, the Environmental and Technical Supervision Service has announced that resorts without sewage treatment facilities will be barred from operating during the summer months. “With the start of the season, the load on the lake's ecosystem increases dramatically, all sanatoriums and holiday homes begin operating, and the number of tourists surges. Issyk-Kul is a closed ecosystem and designated biosphere reserve that requires special protection. According to a presidential decree, facilities in the recreational zone without treatment infrastructure are prohibited from operating,” explained Kych Tentimishov, head of the regional department for environmental and technical supervision at the Ministry of Natural Resources. Current Sanitation Status According to ministry data, there are currently 1,127 accommodation facilities operating around Lake Issyk-Kul, including resorts, sanatoriums, and holiday homes. Of these, only 185 have their own sewage treatment systems, and another 208 are connected to a centralized system. The remaining facilities rely on septic tanks. Authorities are currently conducting inspections to ensure all facilities meet environmental standards, as part of a broader initiative to safeguard one of Kyrgyzstan’s most treasured natural landmarks.