The best practices
KYIV
Clean drinking water for the city residents
Background
One of major components of public health is clean drinking water. Therefore one of the priorities set by municipal authorities in Kyiv is constant improvement in clean drinking water supply to population.
Currently there are three independent sources of water supply: the Dnieper and Desna rivers, and underground water.
The quality of drinking water in the centralized supply to municipal networks complies with health standards. Existing drinking water treatment methods with the use of chlororganic compounds – a reason for concern among consumers, and deteriorating condition of pipes in buildings and water supply networks necessitated seeking alternative sources of drinking water for city residents.
Artesian water from wells at Yurskiy and Senomansky levels (90-337m in depth) proved eligible in terms of chemical composition and flavor features. Besides, the artesian water does not contain radioactive nuclides, nitrates, nitrits, and other harmful compounds. This makes it invaluable to the residents of Kiev who experienced the aftermath of Chernobil accident.
Innovations
Since 1997 Kyiv city administration has been implementing an artesian water program. It envisions using the existing artesian wells as well as making new ones, constructing artesian water pump stands at the well sites. The city administration made sure of opening several tens of such stands in every district. This enables a free public access to environmentally clean water.
The artesian water complex consists of artesian wells, overland structures, filters, engineering services, control and measuring instruments, electricity supply systems, green areas, recreation areas, etc.
Results
In 1997-99 in all districts of the city 105 artesian water pump stands were constructed (in 1997 – 28, in 1998 – 38, in 1999 – 39 stands).
The target for 2000 is to build another 26 pump stands of which 5 have been completed in the first quarter.
The estimated cost of construction ranges from 63 000 to 476 000UAH depending on the necessity to drill a base well, and well depth.
The water is offtaken from Yurskiy (well depth 256-337m) and Senomanskiy (90-193m) water levels.
Quality of drinking water from the pump stands is constantly monitored by city and district health services, and experts from Kyivvodokanal in-house laboratory.
Every pump stand is equipped with a plate containing information about chemical composition of water, well parameters. It also has a telephone number of the pump stand service business which the townsfolk may contact whenever they see fit.
The pump stands are maintained by a special unit established at Kyivvodokanal municipal amalgamation.
The feasibility of drilling wells and the siting of pump stands is taken up with city health services, Kyivproekt joint-stock company, Pivnichgeologia regional surveying company.
In fall 1999 a delegation of Moscow government visited Kyiv and highly appraised the idea of using pump stands to provide artesian water to the city population, and took interest in replicating this practice in the capital of Russia.
Artesian water from pump stands is recommended by Ukraine’s Health Ministry for drinking, cooking meals (especially for yound children and the unwell).
Kyiv city and district budgets account for half of finance for pump stands. Despite a high cost of pump stand installations, the water is provided at no charge. Health of people is the greatest value.
The artesian water is in great demand among residents of Kyiv. The city administration receives numerous requestss for pump stands to be built in all neibourhoods of Kyiv.
Completed pump stands exemplify care for public health in the city and blend in well with the surrounding architectural ensemble.
Contact information:
Mr. Oleksandr Kariuk,
Department head,
Kyiv City State Administration
City of Kyiv
6 Hertsena uzv
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