Kyiv might be left without drinking water supply due to pollution of Desna River

He told about this on Espreso TV.

‘I would like to remind you that the Desna River remains the main water supply for the treatment facilities of the Desniansky water supply stations and accounts for 70% of the prepared drinking water for Kyiv residents. There is no alternative to this water intake today. Its loss will lead to serious consequences and imbalance of the capital's water supply system,’ explained Kostiuk.

According to him, due to the pollution of the Desna River, water supply to Desniansky water supply stations in Kyiv may be cut off.

‘The pollution of the Desna River is progressing. We are monitoring and analysing the results of laboratory tests of many organisations that deal with this issue. The water utility takes samples twice a week in the upper reaches of the river. Unfortunately, the dilution of this pollution is not happening as modelled. The contaminated water has now descended below Chernihiv. Unfortunately, organic pollution continues. It is impossible to model what kind of water will come to the water intake in 4-5 days. However, we expect the worst results. If these results are confirmed and our current technology is unable to purify the water, we may have to abandon this water supply source and switch to other sources. In particular, the Dnipro station and artesian springs. However, this alternative system will not be able to provide 100% water supply to entire Kyiv,’ he added.

Kyivvodokanal clarification

At 18:12, the company posted a response to its spokesperson's statement on its website. 

‘We note that the situation is under control. The quality of water supplied to Kyiv residents meets all established standards, and there is no threat to consumers. We would like to emphasise that a representative of Kyivvodokanal voiced the most pessimistic scenario on the Espreso TV channel, which is currently unlikely to happen,’ the statement said.

It added that Kyivvodokanal is ‘ready for possible challenges and takes all measures in advance to ensure that Kyiv residents continue to receive high-quality water supply’.

‘In the event of a deterioration in water quality in the Desna River, we will introduce enhanced treatment technology using pulverised activated carbon, which effectively removes organic contaminants and unpleasant odours. This technology not only helps in the current situation, but can also be used in future emergencies,’ the water utility said.

The utility also noted that a working group has been set up to respond to situations that may pose a threat to the water quality of the Dnipro water supply station in the event of pollution of the Desna River.  

‘We are keeping the situation under control and have a clear response plan in case of emergencies that threaten the water supply of the capital,’ they concluded.

On September 6, it was reported that organic pollutants in the Desna River had reached a site in Chernihiv.

On September 9, the acting mayor of Chernihiv, Oleksandr Lomako, said that darkening of the water in the Desna River near Chernihiv was noticed, and that a massive fish kill was also recorded there.