BRT Senior Researcher, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yelizaveta Chernysh, participated in the 13th biennial Wastewater conference, held in Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia. The event was organized by the Association of Cleaning Experts of the Slovak Republic. Yelizaveta presented her research on water management and the impact of war on Ukraine.
In line with international standards, Ukraine aims to ensure efficient water resource and environmental management nationwide by 2030. However, achieving this goal depends on the availability of strategic policy documents and the country’s ability to recover after the full-scale war. Risks and challenges may delay or obstruct full alignment with these standards.
The primary obstacle in harmonizing Ukrainian water resource legislation with EU Water Directives stems from wartime challenges. The damage to water arteries extends beyond the jurisdiction of a single country, leading to global environmental consequences. Moreover, water resources are deeply integrated into all sectors of the national economy and essential for public water supply. The deteriorating quality and availability of water resources will significantly impact agricultural development, crop production, and global food security. Given the ongoing humanitarian crisis, water conservation has become more critical than ever.
Data collection on water pollution and damage to freshwater ecosystems caused or exacerbated by military action should begin as soon as possible. Where feasible, on-site water sampling should be conducted to facilitate remote data processing.
Yelizaveta Chernysh acknowledges the support of the Czech government, provided through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, which enabled this scientific cooperation to take place.
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