Armed conflict as an environmental risk factor at water supply facilities in еastern Ukraine (case study of “Voda Donbassa” utility company’s Siverskyi Donets – Donbas canal)

Abstract

The "Voda Donbassa" utility company's Siverskyi Donets-Donbas Canal is considered critical infrastructure and at increased risk, as existing environmental threats have been identified (significant technical malfunctions in connection with military operationsbreach of the waterproof canal-bed; damage to the pipeline's water-tightness; flooding along the path due to significant water loss and, as a consequence, development of dangerous geological processesswamps, landslides, surface subsidence, rising groundwater levels; a possible complication of the humanitarian and sanitaryepidemiological condition in the region is the presence of the prerequisites for man-made accidents to occur at environmentally-hazardous chemical, metallurgical, and energy enterprises that use large volumes of water in their technological process) and recommendations given for minimizing the risks of the beginnings of man-made environmental disasters (development of plans for the localization and elimination of the consequences of accidents, where they are lacking; measures to prevent breaching the integrity and waterproofing of the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas Canaltechnical inspection, planned and preventative maintenance work, repair work; monitoring the canal's hydrological and hydrogeological systems, hydraulic structure technical condition, ensuring systematic monitoring and renovation of the water supply system; implementation of measures for drainage of land in areas of flooding in order to reduce the negative impact). In connection with the passage of the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas Canal route through the line of armed conflict, it is necessary to create "secure zones" with a radius of 5 km where the canal intersects the contact line in order to prevent their destruction due to possible shelling.

Intra-state water conflicts (second half of the XX- early XXI centuries): historical and geographic overview

“…Laplage em Revista (International), vol.7, n. 3A, Sept. -Dec. 2021, p.11-25 ISSN: 2446 Therefore, the issue of free access to water supply facilities for representatives of the enterprise "Voda Donbassa", which serves the entire water supply infrastructure of the region, should be resolved as soon as possible. For water supply to be stable, the company notes the need to introduce a five-kilometer ceasefire zone around water infrastructure facilities (BUGLAK, BOYKO, LUNEVA, 2019).…”