Abstract
The article analyzes the ecological state of the Ertis River basin within the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk in recent years. It is noted that increased anthropogenic impact in the Ertis River basin leads to changes in the water balance. Based on the systematization and analysis of informational and analytical materials from RSE "Kazhydromet" regarding water pollution in the Ertis River within Ust-Kamenogorsk, an assessment of water quality and its geoecological state was conducted. Using indicators from water samples taken near the Ust-Kamenogorsk hydroelectric power station, the Ust-Kamenogorsk capacitor plant, and the right and left zones of the Ulbi River, the average annual level of water pollution by heavy metals was calculated. The obtained average annual indicator was compared with the results of samples taken from the Ertis River near the Ust-Kamenogorsk hydroelectric power station and the Ulbi River (metal plant) in 2024, and an analysis was performed. It was established that, depending on the nature of water use, the levels of predominant pollutants, including heavy metals such as copper, zinc, and manganese, vary at different sampling locations. The results of the geoecological assessment were presented on maps of heavy metal pollution in the Ertis River, developed using GIS technologies.