But water losses may increase soon.
The Dnieper water flowed into the annexed Crimea by the North Crimean Canal. Now Russia steals 4.3 million cubic meters daily. m of Ukrainian water for 32 million hryvnia – the losses were calculated by the State Ecoinspection of Ukraine. They note that when the canal is fully filled, the Russians will be able to turn on the pumps and Ukrainian water losses will increase. Maria Dyachuk, a specialist in the department of greening the industry of the Ecodia NGO, writes about this for ZN.UA in the text – “Water – the source of life or the germ of war?”.
The Autonomous Republic of Crimea received about 85% from the mainland through the North Crimean Canal from the Kakhovka Reservoir.
Due to the occupation by Russian troops, the water supply through the North Crimean Canal was suspended, as international humanitarian law protecting civilians during the war obliges the occupier to meet the needs of the people in these territories. It is obvious that in 8 years Russia has not bothered to provide Crimea with enough water, which has led to a water crisis in the region.
In addition, due to water shortages, especially in the steppe zone of Crimea, the infidels began to develop new and increase production of existing underground sources. The consequence of these actions was the rapid salinization of the upper layers of the soil, which led to an even greater deterioration of water quality and the loss of these lands for agricultural use.
In Crimea, 72% of water from the North Crimean canal was used in the agricultural sector, including irrigation. Attempts by the occupying authorities to restore water supply to the Crimea may be related to attempts to use this water for the needs of local agriculture. That is, the amount of water consumption from the Dnieper may increase several times due to the needs of the agricultural sector. Already, the losses are enormous, and with the full restoration of water supplies to the Crimea without proper infrastructure, regulation and control can bring serious negative consequences for both mainland Ukraine and the peninsula.
Read also: The Russian side verbally agrees to all proposals of Ukraine, except for Crimea – Arahamia
Read more about how the war affects the water situation in Ukraine in the text by Maria Dyachuk.
