Kyiv concerned about drinking water problems in Donbas

Kyiv concerned about drinking water problems in Donbas

There is no good drinking water in Donbas and there is a risk of water shortages in Mariupol, Donetsk region, Ukraine's Minister of Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons Vadym Chernysh said."The level of admixtures in the water is very high and there is no good drinking water in the region in general," Chernysh said.

The part of the southern Donbas water service line, which supplies water from the Severskyy Donets to Mariupol, runs through territory uncontrolled by Kyiv, where it has been damaged.The part of the southern Donbas water service line, which supplies water from the Severskyy Donets to Mariupol, runs through territory uncontrolled by Kyiv, where it has been damaged.

"Water supply has declined, apparently there is damage, but we cannot assess it, let alone repair it. The result is an inefficient water supply system: there are water and power losses, water quality is declining," the minister said.The supply of water to Mariupol has dropped to a very low level and the city may experience a need for drinking water as the water supplied is low quality, he said.

The minister said the reduction of supply and the shortage of water does not mean that the people of the city will be left without water altogether.Chernysh also said he believes the local authorities have resources to resolve water supply issues.