Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine provides an update on the Seim and Desna rivers.
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Water Quality on the Desna River
As of September 16, 2024, water quality on the Desna River at Kyiv’s intake points remains within normal parameters. At the Brovary intake point, there has been a slight increase in chemical oxygen demand, rising from 28.37 to 33.2 milligrams per liter, with a norm of 30 milligrams per liter. Dissolved oxygen, although slightly decreased from 6.22 to 5.4 milligrams per liter, remains within acceptable levels. There are no risks to water intake operations. Pollution moving downstream on the Desna is less concentrated compared to the beginning in the Seim River and the Seim’s water intake points in Chernihiv region. No exceedances in pesticide levels, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, or heavy metals have been detected. No fish deaths have been reported, although water discoloration has been observed. There are no exceedances for ammonium nitrogen, nitrites, or chlorides.
Comments from Kyivvodokanal
Kyivvodokanal and scientists confirm that the treatment facilities will manage the pollution if it reaches the intake points. The water quality in consumer taps will remain unchanged and comply with State Sanitary Norms and Rules. The only potential issue is the smell, but Kyivvodokanal has prepared 120 tons of powdered activated carbon to address it. If water quality deteriorates in the Desna, Kyivvodokanal will use enhanced water treatment technology with activated carbon to remove organic pollutants and unpleasant odors.
Situation on the Seim River
For the Seim River, quality degradation is observed in the upper monitoring points up to the city of Mutyn. In the village of Chumakove, chemical oxygen demand has increased from 30 to 84.2 mg O₂/L, with a norm of 30 mg O₂/L, and suspended solids have also risen. Dissolved oxygen levels in the water are within the norm.
In Chernihiv region, water quality in the Seim River is improving. There is an increase in dissolved oxygen levels to 8.05-8.11 milligrams per liter, and chemical oxygen demand is within the range of 28-30 milligrams per liter. Levels of ammonium nitrogen, total iron, and manganese have decreased and are within acceptable limits.
Water Quality in the Desna River in Chernihiv Region
Measurement results from water samples in the Desna River in Chernihiv region indicate improved water quality at all points up to the city of Oster. In Oster, chemical oxygen demand exceeds the norm by 1.1 times, but dissolved oxygen has increased from 5.8 to 7.05 milligrams per liter. No exceedances for ammonium nitrogen, nitrites, phosphates, or chlorides have been recorded.
Overall Situation and Measures
Measurements of priority pollutants in water samples from the Seim and Desna rivers show no exceedances of environmental quality standards for pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, or heavy metals.
The State Water Resources Agency of Ukraine, the State Environmental Inspection of Ukraine, and Chernihivvodokanal have installed aeration systems at 9 points: 6 in Chernihiv region and 3 in Kyiv region. These systems artificially oxygenate the water, aiding in the accelerated oxidation of organic substances and supporting the natural self-cleaning process of the rivers.
