16 special vehicles water the streets of Almaty in extreme heat. Their work is actively discussed on social media. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Kursiv LifeStyle found out why some Almaty residents are unhappy with watering the asphalt. Threads users are divided into two camps. The first recalls a carefree childhood and rejoices at the streams of water on the road, while the second claims that such measures are useless and even harmful.
Opinions
"What is the point of watering asphalt in the heat? The water will evaporate, and the asphalt will deteriorate faster," one user wrote. Another added: "This is just a waste of water. It would be better to water the trees."
The city administration explains that this measure is necessary to lower the air temperature and control dust. However, experts' opinions are divided.
What do experts say?
Ecologists believe that watering asphalt has a short-term effect. "When water evaporates, it absorbs heat, but this effect lasts only a few minutes. In the long term, the temperature of the asphalt does not decrease," said ecologist Aigul Nurmaganbetova.
Construction specialists warn that watering asphalt in the heat can lead to its destruction. "Sudden temperature changes cause cracks in the asphalt. This reduces the service life of the road surface," explained civil engineer Bakytzhan Sarsenbaev.
Position of the akimat
The press service of the Almaty akimat emphasized the importance of watering asphalt. "We are taking all measures for the comfort of citizens. Watering helps reduce the air temperature by 2-3 degrees and reduces dust," a representative of the akimat said.
However, not all experts agree with this opinion. Some ecologists believe that water should be used for watering trees and flower beds.
Conclusion
The issue of watering asphalt in Almaty remains debatable. The opinions of residents and experts differ. The akimat plans to continue this practice, but critics doubt its effectiveness.