As part of the “Not a Drop to the Occupant” Campaign, which was previously launched by the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, we continue to inform the international and Ukrainian communities about how the Russian Federation is deliberately creating a catastrophic water situation in the occupied Crimea.
In previous publications, we talked about militarization and population replacement. What else is the Russian Federation doing in Crimea?
Industry.
In this publication we suggest you to get acquainted with the opinion of an expert of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center Doctor of economics, professor – Yevhen Khlobistov.
During the occupation of Crimea, the industry of the peninsula was significantly militarized. The enterprises of the military-industrial complex and dual-use have been developing quite intensively during the years of occupation. However, not only they are the main factor of water pollution, but also the enterprises of housing and communal services. The main reason for this is the catastrophic deterioration of equipment, freelance (salvo) discharges of pollutants during showers etc. According to open expert data, the deterioration of water supply and sewerage networks reaches 60-70%.
Housing and communal services account for up to 80% of all surface water pollution. The second part of the volume of pollution is accounted for by several groups of pollutants. First of all, to the chemical complex of Northern Crimea, namely, to the Titanium Investments LLC, which is located within Armiansk and Krasnoperekopsk. Sludge, which is part of the technological process, accumulates in special settling ponds, which must constantly keep a certain water level. Water is pumped from underground sources, and, in fact, due to natural seepage, it returns there. Thus, the state of groundwater is constantly changing towards increasing salinity.
Agriculture is another source of increasing soil and groundwater salinity. After the closure of the North Crimean Canal, the number of agricultural enterprises decreased sharply. But those that remained continue to contribute to the salinization of surface waters, and, indirectly, rivers and streams, which, unfortunately, outside of rainstorms, constantly lose water content.
Another company that affects the state of surface waters is Chernomorneftegaz, as part of its production facilities and storage facilities are located onshore.
A natural question arises – can the current economic activity become the subject of close attention from ecologists and affect the quality condition and volume of surface water?
Yes.
Do we have all the possibilities for effective monitoring of the water resources of the occupied Crimea – alas, no.
The situation requires operational observation and close analytics. All reports that are published by the occupying authorities on the peninsula either do not give an idea of the real situation of pollution, or have too bright colors – everything is good and there is no reason to worry. Therefore, CTRC experts and others should monitor these processes.
More information on this topic can be found in the fourth part of the documentary Crimea. Dehydration, which was prepared by the Crimean Tatar Resource Center and Mir and Co Charitable Foundation.