Water pollution was detected in the Kyiv region following a fish kill
During initial water tests in the water bodies of the Borshchahivska community in Kyiv Oblast, levels exceeding permissible limits were detected for several parameters. The results may indicate pollution in these water bodies.
Experts are continuing to analyze the samples to determine the possible causes of the fish deaths and assess the level of risk to the water bodies.
Specialists from the State Institution “Kyiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health,” together with the Borshchahivka Village Council and the municipal enterprise “Blahoustriy Sofiivky,” collected 17 samples: 4 samples of drinking water from private wells and boreholes in the nearest residential area; 6 water samples from water bodies; 7 soil samples.
“In the water samples collected from water bodies in the Borshchahivka community, the laboratory of the Kyiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded simultaneous exceedances of standards for dissolved oxygen, iron, manganese, phenols, ammonium, and organoleptic properties. Such deviations may indicate contamination of the water bodies, including with organic compounds. Testing of drinking water and soil is ongoing,” the center noted.
The laboratory is continuing its work; a summary report and decisions regarding restrictions are scheduled to be published on August 17.
The center emphasized that, as of today, it is important to follow these guidelines regarding water use: do not drink water from wells, boreholes, or public drinking fountains in the affected area; use imported or bottled water for drinking and food preparation; do not swim in bodies of water or enter the water; do not catch or eat fish; do not buy fish of unknown origin; do not water your garden or water livestock with water from bodies of water; do not allow children or pets near bodies of water.
“Clear water does not mean it is safe. Neither color, nor smell, nor taste will indicate chemical contamination. Boiling will not help in cases of chemical water contamination: it is effective for killing microorganisms but does not remove chemical contaminants. We also do not recommend purifying such water with household filters: they are designed for specific substances and cannot guarantee purification in this situation,” the center noted.
The restrictions apply to water from wells, boreholes, public drinking fountains, and surface water. They do not apply to water from the centralized water supply system.
As of the morning of August 13, healthcare facilities had not recorded any reports of people feeling unwell that could be potentially linked to the incident.
This was reported by the Kyiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the Kyiv region, access to three bodies of water has been restricted due to a massive fish kill.
Earlier, it was reported that work is ongoing in Kyiv to clean up the pollution of Lake Kyrylivske caused by petroleum products following a massive Russian attack on July 2. Experts have been cleaning the lake for the second week in a row and have used over 500 kilograms of a special sorbent.
More than 300 cubic meters of the contaminant were successfully removed from the lake’s surface. The work was carried out by about 60 rescue workers using specialized equipment.
