IsraAID Ukraine expands safe water access to Kryvyi Rih District

IsraAID, Israel’s leading humanitarian NGO, is expanding access to safe water to an additional 80,000 people affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine. IsraAID is working closely with local administrations to install advanced reverse osmosis water treatment stations and upgraded borehole pumping stations to increase access to safe drinking water. Installation will begin in October. The expansion will reach the most vulnerable towns in Kryvyi Rih Rayon in Dnipropetrovska Oblast and additional villages in Mykolaiv Oblast. The systems will provide millions of liters of free, safe drinking water to communities whose infrastructure has been destroyed in the fighting, or who suffered major flooding, huge ecological impacts, and lost access to water after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam and reservoir.

With ongoing fighting across Ukraine, particularly increased attacks on infrastructure, many communities have been cut off from safe water sources and face regular blackouts. After the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023, communities across South-Eastern Ukraine, which relied on the Kakhovka Reservoir for their drinking water, lost access to safe water, and saw major flooding and ecological damage in addition to ongoing shelling. Reverse Osmosis-based water filtration systems remove contaminants from even the dirtiest water sources and produce safe, clean drinking water. Institutions like schools and medical facilities can only reopen if they have a safe water source. By bringing these systems IsraAID is ensuring that Ukrainians have access to other essential services.

IsraAID is procuring eight large-scale reverse osmosis systems. Each can produce 1,500 liters of water per hour and will be installed in public areas. In some institutions like schools and medical centers that don’t have proper infrastructure to support large systems, IsraAID is procuring and installing 20 Aquabox systems with a capacity of 250 liters/hour. All of the systems provide in-depth tracking of water quality and usage. Installation locations are being picked in collaboration with the local hromada administrations, to ensure that they meet the specific needs of each community. IsraAID is training local water treatment and distribution station operators in the proper use and maintenance of the system, ensuring that they can take full ownership.

Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has also been a major target, leading to limited power access across the country. In response, IsraAID is installing 17 advanced borehole pumping stations with frequency converters, in addition to 8 installed last year in Mykolaiv Oblast. With many pumping towers destroyed or unable to cope with power fluctuations, the frequency converters keep the equipment safe, adapt to changes in power flow, and save energy.

IsraAID began responding to the Ukraine crisis just days after the Russian invasion. Since August 2022, IsraAID has been supporting communities in Mykolaiv Oblast with safe water access. To date, IsraAID has installed 15 reverse osmosis stations in the region, 8 advanced pumping stations, and two mobile water stations that supply rural communities. IsraAID has already provided over 15 million liters of safe water to the people of Mykolaiv City and Oblast, and continues producing over 1 million liters of water a month. IsraAID also worked to develop an interactive map that helps Mykolaiv residents locate water distribution points and track water quality.

IsraAID Ukraine Country Director, Alena Druzhynina, said:

“Safe water is the foundation of so many other necessities in Ukraine. Water is necessary to keep schools open, to help people maintain their health and sanitation, to cook, and so much more. For nearly two years, we’ve seen how access to safe water has been critical for residents of Mykolaiv. We are proud to be expanding our work to the people of Kryvyi Rih Rayon , who were terribly affected by the destruction of the Khakhovka dam, ongoing shelling, and attacks.
Every day in Ukraine is a challenge, but Ukrainians are resilient. And every day we renew our commitment to work hand-in-hand  with communities, adapt, and find creative solutions.”

-ENDS-

Further information is available on request, including interviews with IsraAID CEO Yotam Polizer, IsraAID Ukraine Country Director Alena Druzhynina, and other individuals involved in this operation.

PHOTOS: Photos of IsraAID’s reverse-osmosis water treatment stations and mobile water stations, can be found here. All photos should be credited to IsraAID/Ivan Sytyi

CONTACT:

Shachar May
Email: [email protected]

Notes:

IsraAID is a leading international humanitarian non-governmental organization, based in Israel. Since 2001, IsraAID has become synonymous with a rapid response to humanitarian crises and a long-term commitment to working with affected communities. During and after emergencies, IsraAID partners with communities to re-build their lives – and their futures – together. As of July 2024, IsraAID has responded to more than 100 emergencies, in more than 60 countries.