Background
The full-scale war in Ukraine has significantly deteriorated access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, particularly in conflict-affected communities. Severe damage to water and electricity supply systems, sewage networks, and wastewater treatment plants has complicated population access to safe drinking resources.
Concurrently, challenges within the water supply sector existed prior to 2022. To align Ukraine with EU standards, it is essential to enhance the water quality monitoring system, assess its effectiveness, and raise community awareness regarding safe water resource utilization.
In response to these challenges, the Charitable Foundation “Team4UA”, in partnership with UNICEF Ukraine and in coordination with the NGO “WATER NET”, initiated this technical assessment project.
Опис проєкту
Project Description
The “WATER” project is an independent, objective, and science-based technical assessment of the water quality situation, monitoring systems, and the existing institutional framework in Ukraine. The study focuses on current water treatment practices, control systems, and the capacity of water utilities (vodokanals) to maintain appropriate standards within the government-controlled territories of Ukraine.
Within the project framework, partners combine desk research with extensive fieldwork, laboratory sampling, and engagement with end-consumers. A key digital component of the project is the interactive water monitoring map developed by specialists from the NGO “WATER NET”.
Core Activities
- Conducting a desk literature review and secondary data analysis from the Ministry of Health, Regional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection (Dershprodspozhyvsluzhba).
- Organizing approximately 100 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and interactive workshops with end-consumers, strictly adhering to the principles of inclusivity and gender equality.
- Collecting and analyzing up to 20 direct water samples in a certified laboratory to address critical blind spots in nationwide data.
- Analyzing barriers, technical challenges, and financial resources at the level of local water supply enterprises (vodokanals).
- Studying and documenting best practices and water quality monitoring directives in EU countries for capacity building and adaptation in Ukraine.
- Organizing seminars for operational management and conferences for sector stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of European standards.
Project Geography
The project covers all government-controlled regions of Ukraine. The selection of water utilities (vodokanals) and local authorities for consultations is conducted on a sample basis to ensure balanced regional and demographic representation.
Results
- Publication of a final comprehensive assessment report containing an all-encompassing sector analysis and strategic recommendations for future WASH programmes in Ukraine.
- Development and launch of the interactive water monitoring map by the NGO “WATER NET” to visualize current control systems.
- Hosting a final large-scale conference to present the research methodologies and findings to national and international decision-makers, as well as organizations implementing humanitarian WASH programmes in Ukraine.
- Empowering communities by enhancing their access to verified data regarding safe drinking water.
Implementation Partners
The project is implemented by the Charitable Fund “Team4UA” in strategic partnership with international and expert institutions:
UNICEF Ukraine – The primary international partner and project donor, responsible for setting strategic priorities, approving testing parameters, and coordinating the integration of results into future child protection and public health programmes.
NGO “WATER NET” – The specialized technical and expert partner, providing scientific implication, independent network mapping, development of the interactive water monitoring map, and verification of the reliability of laboratory results.
