The Ministry of Ecology pointed to the main culprit of pollution of Ukrainian rivers
The main polluter of water basins in Ukraine is water utilities, not industrial enterprises.
As Ukrinform reports, Mykhailo Khorev, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, stated this in the "Unofficial Conversation" program of the "Dom" TV channel.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that "Ukraine is generally lucky with the quality of water."
"Because we have very few industrial facilities. And in fact, the main polluter today is humans, meaning wastewater from water utilities. Every year we publish the top 100 largest polluters, and 70% of them are water utilities. Because they have inefficient treatment facilities, unfortunately. Their modernization is directly linked to raising tariffs for the population, which is an unpopular path. And they are, in fact, in the position of a boa constrictor eating its own tail... That is, 70% of problems related to water quality are "treated" precisely by building or modernizing existing treatment facilities. This is indeed 70%," he explained.
In this regard, the Ministry of Communities and Territories is developing legislative norms so that all tariffs are approved at the level of local councils. And local authorities themselves will decide on the allocation of necessary funds for the modernization of treatment facilities.
"So that, as they say, the mayor is responsible. That is, he is elected, then he decides for himself what is more important - roads or the health of his citizens who drink poor-quality water," he added.
He noted that the nature of water pollution is most clearly observed in Donbas, where some industrial enterprises stopped after 2014. Recent studies of the region's main water artery - the Siversky Donets River - showed that it can no longer be classified as one of the most polluted rivers in the country.
"And again, considering why. Because a large number of industries in Donbas have stopped working recently," Khorev said.
Among the remaining 30% of water polluters are, in particular, farmers who plow coastal protective strips. And this needs to be combated more actively.
"That is, so that floodplains are used only for haymaking or grazing livestock. But unfortunately, our farmers go there with a tractor, sow corn there, use pesticides there. Accordingly, this does not add to the health of our rivers," Khorev emphasized.
To strengthen control over water resources, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in the first reading draft law No. 3091 "On State Environmental Control".
"It provides for the creation of a new environmental protection body instead of all existing ones, with new salaries, new powers, new responsibilities... Because if an eco-inspector has a salary of 7 thousand UAH, then we understand that it is unlikely that he will be able to fine enterprises for 10 million UAH - the risk of him receiving illegal benefits is very significant," the deputy minister explained.
They also plan to significantly increase the amount of fines for enterprises for not allowing an environmental inspector.
"According to current legislation, a polluting enterprise has the right not to allow an eco-inspector. The sanction for this is only 710 UAH. Roughly speaking, if you put a pipe here now, you will discharge dirty water, an environmental inspector will come to you. You have every right to forbid him from taking samples there, saying that everything is fine with you. He will fine you 710 UAH, and, in fact, you will continue to do what you are doing. With Bill No. 3091, we are removing this, prescribing quite "onerous stories" with large fines there," Khorev said.