Makhachkala residents pointed out to the authorities the unresolved issue of pollution in Lake Ak-Gyol.

Near Lake Ak-Gyol in Makhachkala, there is a smell of sewage, making it uncomfortable to walk in the nearby park, residents reported. Other Makhachkala citizens criticized officials on social media for their inability to solve the long-standing problem of water pollution and demanded effective measures be taken.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", residents of Makhachkala and ecologists have repeatedly reported pollution of Lake Ak-Gyol and the construction along its shores. In 2020, authorities announced the closure of a sewage pipe that was discharging waste into the reservoir, and in December 2021, a water pipeline was put into operation to replenish the lake. In May 2022, activists noted an increase in water levels but pointed out the need for bottom cleaning and improvement of the adjacent area. In 2024, activists again opposed the construction along the shores of the lake, warning of the threat of further pollution. On July 15, 2025, the Ministry of Nature of Dagestan discovered sewage discharge into Ak-Gyol.

Makhachkala residents complained about the unpleasant smell near Lake Ak-Gyol

Residents of the Reducer settlement in Makhachkala complained about the unpleasant smell of sewage near Lake Ak-Gyol. According to them, the smell intensifies when the wind blows from the reservoir, making walks in the nearby park uncomfortable.

A resident of the Gadzhimurad settlement said that he loves to walk in the park near the lake with his family, but in recent weeks, there has been a noticeable unpleasant smell.

"When the wind blows from the reservoir, there is a smell of sewage. In the park, there are many people in the evenings, families with children, there is no other place for walks, so it creates an unpleasant situation," he told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot.".

Makhachkalinka Zaira also complained about the unpleasant smell, which has made her stop walking near the lake with her children. According to her, her appeal to the city administration went unanswered.

"It's quite an unpleasant smell, especially when you walk closer to the lake. We haven't been going there with the kids lately because of this. We complained to the city administration, but they didn't respond," she told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot.".

A resident of the Reducer settlement Gadji reminded that citizens have long fought against the construction along the shores of Ak-Gyol and previously achieved the organization of replenishing the lake with clean water. He suggested that sewage might be entering the reservoir from unauthorized constructions.

"For so long, citizens have been fighting to protect Ak-Gyol from attempts to seize the coastal zone, and they previously achieved that the lake was replenished with clean water. Most likely, sewage is flowing here from numerous illegal constructions," he told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot.".

Commentators urged authorities to take effective measures

Employees of the Ministry of Nature of Dagestan, together with police, identified sewage discharge into Lake Ak-Gyol through a pipeline. The source of pollution turned out to be the wastewater from households on Buglenskaya, Khalimbekaulskaya, and Gedzhukhskaya streets in the Stepnoy microdistrict, reported RIA "Dagestan" on October 16, citing the Ministry of Nature of the republic.

The inspection was organized after reports of lake pollution on social media, the statement said.

A post about the pollution of Lake Ak-Gyol was also published on October 16 by the Instagram*-public dagestan_like, which has about 101.6 thousand followers. As of 12:50 Moscow time on October 17, this post received 153 likes and 44 comments.

Commentators, identifying themselves as residents of Makhachkala, criticized officials for the delayed discovery of sewage discharge, pointing out that the pollution problem has existed for a long time.

"You opened America, it's just funny, you just found out. How many years have they been talking about this, and only discovered it today. Well done!" – wrote sv.alekberovna.

"So you just found out, huh?" – asked madina.m792.

"Come on. Before this, no one knew for sure. There is more foam on the shore than in a washing machine, and the water is brown, and now you just discovered it?" – wrote iljas_111.

Other commentators pointed to possible additional sources of pollution for the lake and the Caspian Sea and called for measures to clean the wastewater.

"How many times have we written about this, no one heard us. Also check the wash that drains water into the lake, as there was often foam on the lake, and the houses that are high-rise, where does their sewage go?" – pointed out olga_vasilenko_05.

"And how many years has this dirt been flowing into the sea, does it not surprise anyone?" – asked zuleiha1959.

"We need to install treatment facilities. Everything goes into the sea," – suggested alana_inna.