An excess of toxins was found in one of the pumping stations in Kyiv

An excess of toxins was found in one of the pumping stations in Kyiv

Valentina Gembarska

In all other samples of water from pump stations, no excess of the content of harmful substances was recorded

In the Darnytsky district of Kyiv (Bortnychi microdistrict), the water pump at Yevhen Kharchenko, 29, was found to have an excess of harmful substances on two indicators: total iron and turbidity.

This became known due to the results of the analysis of water samples, which the team EcoPolitic selected as part of a large-scale study of water quality in Kyiv and the region.

**This publication was prepared within the framework of the project "Reducing the risks of natural disasters in conflict-affected areas of Ukraine", which is being implemented by ACTED, initiatives IMPACT and "Right to Protection" with the support of Switzerland.

Water samples were tested at the Central Testing Laboratory in the city of Vyshhorod. Water quality was determined by the following defined indicators: odor (20°), odor (60°), color, turbidity, hydrogen index, total iron, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, residual bound chlorine, chlorides, nitrates, total mineralization, electrical conductivity.

The following excesses were detected:

  • total iron is overstated by more than nine times — 1.9 (when the norm is ≤ 0.2);
  • turbidity is exceeded by more than 5 times — 5.3 (when the norm is ≤ 1.0).

According to Mariana Ginzula, candidate of geographical sciences, specialist in water resources protection, the cause of such an excess could be the human factor.

"Turbidity and iron — such "team" indicates the need to flush this pump. Also, the cause could be a network break or mechanical moments. For example, due to nearby explosions, rust in the pipes fell off," the expert explained.

She emphasized that it is necessary to contact "Kyivvodfond" about this.

"Give a report and ask for action. The pipes need to be flushed. The situation is unacceptable! It's about people's safety!" Ginzula warned.

On her advice, the editors of EcoPolitic wrote to the hotline of the KMDA with a mandate to conduct an inspection and monitor how the pollution in the pipes of the pump station at Yevhena Kharchenko Street is being eliminated.

Also, during the research, samples for water quality analysis were collected by the EcoPolitic editors at the following addresses:

  • Chervonozavodskyi Lane, 2/13 (Svyatoshinsky district)
  • Olzhicha Street, 10a (Podilskyi district)
  • Boychuk Street, 41 (Pechersky district)
  • Martyrosyan street, 11 (Solomyansky district)
  • Zakrevsky Street, 5-7 (Desnyansky District)
  • Prospekt Myru, 16 (Dniprovsky district)
  • St. Vyshhorodska, 10 (Obolonsky district)
  • intersection of Hertsena and Ovrutska streets (Shevchenkivskyi district)
  • Yevhena Kharchenko 29 (Darnytskyi district)
  • St. Zhukovsky, 8-12 (Holosiivsky district)
  • Zvyazu Street, 5 (Ukrainka city, Kyiv region)

No excess of harmful substances was recorded in all other samples.

EcoPolitic is preparing a cycle of materials and a large-scale study in which it transparently and openly presents the results of the analyzes of water samples in pumping stations and surface waters of Kyiv and the region. Readers of the portal will be able to read in detail the results of the analysis of samples in the laboratory and read expert opinions on the state of water in Kyiv and the region.

**This article was created with the support of Switzerland. Responsibility for the content of this publication lies exclusively with the author/author team of EcoPolitic. The opinion of the author(s) does not necessarily reflect the views of the donor.

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