




































AGORA International Journal of Economical Sciences, http://univagora.ro/jour/index.php/aijes 

ISSN 2067-3310, E-ISSN 2067-7669 

No. 1 (2023), pp. 70-82 

 

70 
 

PRINCIPLES OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT IN ENSURING 

SUSTAINABLE WATER USE IN UKRAINE 

 

N. MAHATS 

 

Nataliia Mahats 

State Organization «Institute of Market and Economic & Ecological Research of the National 

Academy of Sciences of Ukraine», Ukraine  

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0799-9462  

E-mail: mahatsnataliia@gmail.com  

 

Abstract. The military actions in Ukraine significantly aggravate the problems of 

sustainable water resources management. Even in the pre-war period, the main funds of the 

drinking water supply and sanitation systems were characterized by an unsatisfactory 

technical condition, an extremely high percentage of wear and tear and required large 

capital investments. During the wartime, the water management infrastructure of Ukraine 

became the object of massive attacks by the Russian Federation, which led to catastrophic 

consequences, such as the destruction of critical infrastructure facilities, lack of population 

access to drinking water supply, contamination of drinking water sources, complications of 

the sanitary and epidemiological situation, which poses a significant threat to the health of 

the nation. 

The purpose of the article is to determine the current state, trends in the restoration and 

development of the water management infrastructure in Ukraine and the formation of the 

basic principles of its management to ensure sustainable water use in Ukraine. The 

methodological tools of the study were such approaches and methods as a systematic 

approach, methods of system-structural analysis and synthesis, comparison and 

generalization, economic and statistical methods. 

Keywords: Ukraine’s water infrastructure, іmpact of the full-scale Russian invasion, 

sustainable water use principles, blue economy, circular economy, social responsibility 

 

INTRODUCTION  

Water industry is an important component of any modern economy. Water facilities are 

crucial for the socio-economic development of Ukraine, as they provide centralized water 

supply and sanitation for the population, industrial and agricultural enterprises, as well as 

protect from negative consequences associated with water use. However, unfortunately, they 

can be subject to wear and tear and malfunction, which can lead to serious water quality 

problems, which in turn may affect public health and the state of the environment. This 

problem arises for a number of reasons, in particular, inadequate funding, inefficient 

management, lack of due attention to the protection and conservation of water resources. 

Modern management tools, such as smart water management, aimed at water 

infrastrustructure operation based on sustainability and self-sufficiency. It can be carried out 

through the use of innovative technologies, such as information and control technologies and 

monitoring. Thus, water management contributes to leakage reduction, water quality 

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0799-9462
mailto:mahatsnataliia@gmail.com


Nataliia MAHATS 

 

71 
 

assurance, improved customer engagement and operational optimization (Ramos et al., 2020). 

The state of the water infrastructure has a significant impact on sustainable water use in 

the country. The European Union (EU) has implemented a series of directives aimed at 

ensuring the effective management of water resources and the preservation of water quality. 

These directives set out specific environmental requirements that water management facilities 

must adhere to in order to promote the sustainable use and protection of water bodies across 

EU member states. In the article (Bolognesi, 2014) it is examined main laws and regulations 

concerning water standards enacted at European level.  

One of the main challenges for water infrastructure has always been the great quantity of 

electricity needed to extract, treat, convey and reuse water thus it becomes increasingly 

important to integrate renewable energy sources into water infrastructure systems. By 

harnessing renewable energy, it can be achieved a more sustainable and resilient water sector 

while mitigating the impacts of climate change. Bieber et al. (2018), using a scenario based 

approach, propose innovative water supply and energy deployment policies, which address 

the provision of clean energy for population and demonstrate the potential effects of climate 

change. 

As long as water infrastructure systems in the developed countries evolved as products 

of the industrial revolution, design principles of that time were different. However, the 

existing water infrastructure design is incompatible with the present environmental, 

economic, and social principles of sustainability (Apul, 2010). Thus, it is necessary to 

implement modern principles of water infrastructure management, which will contribute to 

ensuring sustainable and efficient water resources use, meeting the population needs and 

preserving the environment. 

 

I. Methodology  

The methodology of this study was based on a combination of statistical analysis of the 

results of water infrastructure management in Ukraine in the pre-war 2020-2021 years, 

statistical and expert data on the impact of the of the Russian Federation on critical water 

infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, with an analytical study of modern principles of 

sustainable development that will affect the main directions of the post-war restoration of 

Ukrainian water infrastructure. 

The study was conducted from November 2022 to April 2023 in the following stages: 

1) collection of statistical information on the main indicators of the state of the 

centralized water supply and sanitation systems in the regions of Ukraine in 2020-2021; 

2) analysis of recent reports and studies on the impact of the Russian full-scale military 

aggression in Ukraine in terms of determining the damage caused to Ukraine's water 

resources and water infrastructure; 

3) determination of the main principles of sustainable development in the context of the 

conceptual foundations of the circular economy, social responsibility, blue growth and the 

possible vectors of its application for the post-war restoration of Ukraine's water 

infrastructure. 

The study was based on such information resources as the statistical-analytical report of 

the World Bank, statistical data report of UNICEF, statistical data of the Ministry for 

Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, publications of Ukrainian and foreign 



PRINCIPLES OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT IN ENSURING 

SUSTAINABLE WATER USE IN UKRAINE 

 

72 
 

scientists on the research topic according to the list of references (22). The following 

approaches and methods served as the methodological tools of the study: a systematic 

approach, methods of system-structural analysis and synthesis, comparison and 

generalization of a systematic search, economic-statistical methods. 

 

I.1. The analysis of the pre-war problems in the field of water management and the current 

state of the water infrastructure in Ukraine  

The water infrastructure of Ukraine consists of a large number of structures and objects, 

such as water intake facilities, water pressure towers, water supply and sanitation networks, 

treatment and hydrotechnical facilities, reservoirs, etc. Before the war, the main funds of 

water industry of Ukraine were mostly characterized by an unsatisfactory technical condition, 

since they were built in the 60s of the last century, they needed serious capital repair and in 

some cases complete reconstruction. 

According to the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine 

(MinRegion, 2021), in 2020 the total length of water supply networks was 121921 km, 

including dilapidated and emergency networks – 46602 (38%); during the year, 991 km 

(2,1%) of the need were renewed. The total length of centralized sanitation networks was 

46602 km, including dilapidated and emergency – 16618 km (35,6%); during the year, 186 

km (1,1%) of the need were renewed. As can be seen from fig. 1 the rate of renewal of the 

water supply and sewerage network in Ukraine is quite low and does not meet the needs of 

the population and the economy. 

 
Fig. 1. The length and condition of centralized water supply and sanitation networks in 

Ukraine in 2020. 

Source: compiled by the author based on (Ministry for Communities and Territories 

Development of Ukraine [MinRegion], 2021) 

 

Another indicator of the state of the water infrastructure in Ukraine is the accident rate of 

centralized water supply and sanitation networks, which can be caused by various factors, in 

particular, such as aging networks, insufficient funding, negligence in operation, etc. 

Accidents on water supply and sanitation networks can lead to interruptions in the 

supply of drinking water, its pollution, flooding of territories, environmental pollution and 

pose a threat to human health. 

0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000 120000 140000

Renewed, km

Renewal required, km

Total length, km

991

46.602

121.921

186

16.618

39.708

centralized sanitation networks centralized water supply networks



Nataliia MAHATS 

 

73 
 

So, in 2020, the average accident rate of the centralized water supply network in the 

regions of Ukraine amounted to 1,83 accidents per 1 km of the network, in particular, the 

largest number of accidents was in the Kiev region – 6,38 accidents and in Odessa – 4,92 

accidents per 1 km of centralized water supply network; the lowest – in the Cherkasy region – 

0,04. The average accident rate of the centralized sanitation network in the regions of Ukraine 

amounted to 1,54 accidents per 1 km of the network, the largest number of accidents was in 

the Kyiv region – 6,0 accidents and Kharkiv – 4,3 accidents per 1 km of the centralized 

sanitation network; the lowest – in the Kirovohrad region – 0,09 (Fig. 2). 

 
Fig. 2. Accident rate of centralized water supply and sanitation networks in Ukraine in 2020 

* the statistical information was not available in the temporarily occupied territories 

Source: developed by the author based on data (MinRegion, 2021) 

 

In rural areas of Ukraine, in particular in the east and west of the country, the water 

infrastructure was less developed and had a low level of technical equipment. According to 

(MinRegion, 2022), in 2020-2021, more than 75% of rural areas in Ukraine did not have 

access to centralized water supply and sanitation systems (Table 1).  

 

 

 

0,70

0,24

1,20

3,10

0,04

2,50

2,40

0,40

0,90

2,35

4,92

1,10

0,44

1,96

1,03

6,38

1,00

1,81

1,38

2,10

1,90

1,65

2,60

0,20

0,29

0,42

2,60
0,12

4,30

1,30

0,18

1,43
1,33

2,81

1,20

0,04

2,36

0,09

6,00

0,80

0,23

2,82

1,70

1,40

1,90

1,80

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Chernihiv

Chernivtsi

Cherkassy

Khmelnytsk

Kherson

Kharkiv

Ternopil

Sumy

Rivne

Poltava

Odesa

Mykolaiv

city of Kyiv

Lviv

Luhansk*

Kirovohrad

Kyiv

Ivano-Frankivsk

Zaporizhzhia

Transcarpathian

Zhytomyr

Donetsk*

Dnipropetrovsk

Volyn

Vinnytsia

AR Crimea*

Accident rate per 1 km of the sanitation network

Accident rate per 1 km of the water supply network



PRINCIPLES OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT IN ENSURING 

SUSTAINABLE WATER USE IN UKRAINE 

 

74 
 

Table.1. Provision of settlements in Ukraine with centralized water supply and sanitation 

systems in 2020-2021 

Year Cities Urban type settlements Rural settlements 

Total Provided 

with 

% Total Provided 

with 

% Total Provided 

with 

% 

centralized water supply 

2020 314 310 98,7% 473 432 91,3% 22 

204 

5 382 24,2% 

2021 314 310 98,7% 473 427 90,3% 22 

204 

5 215 23,5% 

Centralized sanitation 

2020 314 301 95,8% 473 319 67,4% 22 

204 

323 1,45% 

2021 314 301 95,8% 473 319 67,4% 22 

204 

330 1,48% 

Source: grouped by the author based on data (MinRegion, 2022) 

 

According to the tasks specified in the National Report “Sustainable Development 

Goals: Ukraine”(2017), the share of the rural population with access to centralized water 

supply should increase from 17,2% in 2015 to 80% in 2030; the share of the rural population 

with access to improved sanitation should increase from 1,9% in 2015 to 80% in 2030, which 

is quite an ambitious target even in peacetime. 

Thus, in 2021, only 23,5% of rural settlements in Ukraine had access to centralized 

water supply and 1,45% to centralized sanitation. These circumstances can lead to the use of 

low-quality water from open sources such as rivers and ponds, which can subsequently cause 

the spread of diseases and threaten the health of the local population. In addition, the lack of 

sanitation systems can lead to environmental pollution, in particular water resources and soil. 

To solve the problems of providing rural settlements of Ukraine with centralized water 

supply and sanitation systems, it is necessary to apply an integrated approach. In particular, 

according to professors M. Khvesik and V. Golyan (2014), the priority areas for the 

modernization of the water infrastructure in rural areas should be: increasing the volume of 

work on the construction of new and reconstruction of existing centralized water supply and 

sanitation systems in rural settlements; technical and technological restructuring of inter-farm 

and intra-farm networks of hydraulic structures; construction of those water infrastructure 

facilities that will contribute to the implementation of the European Union directives. In a 

study by N. Kovshun (2015) it is noted that a perspective economic mechanism for financing 

the water infrastructure of Ukraine is a public-private partnership, when the state, to solve a 

specific problem for a water facility, involves private initiatives.  

Solving the problematic issues of the water infrastructure functioning can improve the 

living conditions of the rural population and provide a more sustainable future for rural 

development in Ukraine. 



Nataliia MAHATS 

 

75 
 

I.2. The impact of the full-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation on critical 

water infrastructure facilities in Ukraine 

The full-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation has a serious impact on 

water resources and water security both at the national and global levels. Although, according 

to the Geneva Conventions (1949), countries involved in armed conflicts are obliged to 

observe and ensure compliance with international humanitarian law under any circumstances. 

However, there is a global trend towards increasing the use of water resources and 

infrastructure as a target or means of warfare in armed conflicts. The full-scale Russian 

invasion and intense hostilities in Ukraine led to the destruction of critical infrastructure, 

including water industry facilities. 

In the study (Shumilova et al., 2023), the authors examined how military operations 

affected water resources and water management infrastructure during the first three months of 

the war. A total of 64 reported impacts on the water sector were investigated, in particular, 

such as interruption of water supply; disruption of sanitation networks and treatment 

facilities; pollution of surface waters due to the release of chemicals as a result of shelling 

and bacteriological contamination due to mass death of poultry; damage to dams; mine 

flooding; disruption of a hydroelectric power plant. 

The article (Gopchak et al., 2022) provides methodological recommendations for 

calculating the damage from the destruction to fixed assets of the water sector for industrial 

and non-industrial purposes, and calculating the costs of restoring the infrastructure. In 

particular, it was noted that the volume of damage to active war zones will increase linearly 

over time at a rate of 0.274% per day. If the region is under occupation, the growth rate of 

damage is 0.137% per day. 

In the World Bank report (2022), it is noted that the most affected water infrastructure 

facilities were water supply and sanitation networks, water treatment facilities, drinking water 

treatment plants. Table 2 shows the water infrastructure facilities, their damage and estimated 

needs for reconstruction. The information provided is not exhaustive given the difficulty of 

obtaining data from temporarily non-government controlled areas. 

Table.2. Water infrastructure damage inventory and estimated recovery and 

reconstruction needs as of June 2022 

Object type 

Type of damage 
Reconstruction needs, USD 

million 

Partially 

damaged 

Completely 

destroyed 
Total 

Urgent / 

short-term 

Medium- to 

long-term 
Total 

Water treatment 

facilities (units) 

8 2 10 39,0 156,0 195,0 

Wastewater 

treatment 

facilities (units) 

10 4 14 72,0 288,0 360,0 

Water pumping 

stations (units) 

20 18 38 13,7 54,6 68,3 

Sewage pumping 

stations (units) 

32 19 41 28,6 114,5 143,1 



PRINCIPLES OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT IN ENSURING 

SUSTAINABLE WATER USE IN UKRAINE 

 

76 
 

Water supply 

networks (km) 

0 816,314 816,314 122,4 489,8 612,2 

Sanitation 

networks (km) 

0 241,665 241,665 108,7 435,0 543,7 

Wells (units) 11 13 24 0,6 2,4 3,0 

Laboratories 

(units) 

3 2 5 0,3 1,2 1,4 

Clean water 

tanks (units) 

4 12 16 4,1 16,3 20,4 

Water towers 

(units) 

8 24 32 1,6 6,5 8,2 

Total, USD million 391,0 1564,3 1955,3 

Source: compiled by the author based on data (World Bank, 2022) 

 

Water infrastructure recovery and reconstruction needs are based on damage and losses 

as of June 2022. At that time, they were estimated at about USD 1,955 million. Partially 

damaged and destroyed infrastructure requires restoration on a priority basis. The necessary 

investments are divided into urgent - short-term (USD 391,0 million) and medium-long-term 

(USD 1564,3 million). The needs assessment considers a “build back better” approach to 

recovering damaged/destroyed water infrastructure objects. 

The Bulletin of the Observatory of Conflicts and the Environment (2022) analyzes the 

impact of the war on the state of the water supply sector and on the water resources of 

Ukraine, in particular, it is studied  the most devastating incidents for the period February-

August 2022, such as the explosion of the dam of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power 

station, damage to the Mykolaiv pipeline, numerous accidents with damage to the pumping 

stations of the water supply system in the city of Popasna and the Seversky Donets canal, the 

destruction of the Irpen dam, which led to flooding. 

However, the greatest destruction Ukraine’s critical infrastructure has experienced since 

October 2022, when the Russian Federation launched massive and methodical missile strikes 

throughout Ukraine approximately every 10 days, in particular, water supply networks, 

sewerage systems and other water infrastructure facilities were damaged. In general, for the 

period October 2022 - March 2023, the Russian Federation launched 908 missiles and 95 

kamikaze drones in order to destroy critical infrastructure. As a result, according to UNICEF 

(2022), as of December 2022, 16 million Ukrainians had limited access to water, sanitation 

and hygiene. The situation is especially critical in the east and south of Ukraine, where 

people are forced to fight for access to water supply and sanitation services in order to meet 

their vital needs. 

The energy crisis in December 2022 – February 2023 further aggravated the problems: 

power outages affected the condition of water pumping stations and led to interruptions in 

water supply throughout Ukraine. Internally displaced persons in collective centers and host 

communities faced significant restrictions in access to water, hygiene and sanitation. 

Restoration of water infrastructure facilities during the active phase of hostilities is an 

extremely difficult, but also the most important task for ensuring the safety and health of the 



Nataliia MAHATS 

 

77 
 

population under martial law. The main obstacles to the timely resumption of the water 

infrastructure facilities functioning are: 

- location of damaged objects in the occupied territory; 

- location of damaged objects in the zone of active hostilities and shelling. 

However, in other territories of Ukraine, updating water infrastructure facilities to an 

adequate technical condition is not a priority task for local authorities in wartime. 

 

II. Results – Principles of post-war reconstruction and management of Ukrainian 

water infrastructure on the basis of sustainable development 

The destruction of Ukraine's water infrastructure leads to serious consequences for 

public health, in particular, to a decrease in the quality of drinking water and an increase in 

the risk of epidemics and other diseases that are transmitted through water. In addition, as a 

result of missile attacks, mining, especially in the zone of active hostilities, there is a lot of 

toxic explosive material that can pollute water sources and lead to the destruction of aquatic 

and semi-aquatic ecosystems. 

In the post-war period, Ukraine will face many challenges in the field of water 

management. Therefore, today, when forming a strategy for the post-war development of 

Ukraine, it is necessary to take into account modern principles of water infrastructure 

management, which should be based on the main provisions of the circular economy, social 

responsibility, blue growth (Fig. 3) and promote sustainable water use and conservation of 

water resources for future generations. 

Management of water infrastructure according to the principles of the circular economy 

implies an increase in the efficiency of the use of water resources and a reduction in waste 

from the water sector. The 10R principles, developed by J. Cramer (2017), are the basis for 

the introduction of a circular economy and can be applied in the water management sector to 

ensure the sustainable water use. 

Refuse and reduce: reducing water consumption by eliminating inefficient water use, 

applying water-saving technologies and changing consumer behavior. 

Redesign, Repair, Refurbish and Remanufacture – these are important circular economy 

principles that can be applied to water supply and sanitation management to promote the 

sustainable and efficient use of water resources. For example, designing water systems that 

collect and use rainwater while reducing the amount of water needed from other sources; 

repairing leaking pipes and refurbishing wastewater treatment plants with more advanced 

treatment technologies; reconstruction of the existing water management infrastructure to 

extend its service life. 

Reuse, Re-purpose, Recycle, Recover – include recycle of treated wastewater for non-

potable needs such as irrigation, industrial processes, domestic needs, etc.; reuse of storm 

water for non-potable purposes such as industrial cooling or landscaping; recover of valuable 

resources from wastewater for use in agriculture or bioenergy production. The application of 

wastewater reclaiming and recycling practices is discussed in more details by the author in 

the preliminary study (Khumarova & Mahats, 2022). 

 



PRINCIPLES OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT IN ENSURING 

SUSTAINABLE WATER USE IN UKRAINE 

 

78 
 

 
Fig. 3. Interrelation of circular economy, blue growth and social responsibility principles 

in ensuring sustainable water use 

Source: developed by the author 

 

Having considered the main 10R principles of the circular economy, it is proposed to 

pay attention to such important principles of water infrastructure management as: 

Regenerate – means restoring natural ecosystems and water resources to a healthy and 

productive state. Regenerative practices can help reduce pollution, improve water quality, and 

promote biodiversity conservation. 

Renew energy. The use of renewable energy sources can be a valuable tool for managing 

water infrastructure. Using renewable energy sources to power water infrastructure can 

reduce energy consumption, reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development. 

Thus, the use of renewable energy sources can include solar-powered water treatment, the use 

of wind energy to power pumps for transporting water through pipelines, the production of 

biogas from the treatment of wastewater sludge, etc. 

By applying these principles to the water sector, businesses and societies can improve 

water use efficiency, reduce waste, and promote sustainable water infrastructure management 

practices. 

Blue growth as part of the sustainable development concept involves using the potential 

of marine and coastal regions for balanced development in economic, social and 

environmental aspects. This approach recognizes the importance of water as a critical 

resource for economic development and takes into account the needs of rational use to ensure 

the availability of water for future generations. Based on the main provisions of the book by 

G. Pauli (2010), it is identified the following principles and tools for blue growth in water 

Blue Growth Principles:

Integration, Nature-based solutions,

Science-based decisions,

Resilience, Innovation,

Cooperation

Circular Economy Principles:

10R's: Refuse, Reduce, 
Redesign, Repair, Refurbish, 
Remanufacture, Reuse, Re-
purpose, Recycle, Recover;

Regenerate, renew energy

Social Responsibility
Principles:

Inclusiveness, Responsibility, 
Safety, Ethics, 

Transparency

SUSTAINABLE WATER USE 



Nataliia MAHATS 

 

79 
 

management (Table 3). The application of blue growth principles will contribute to the 

sustainable use of water resources, the conservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems 

and the reduction of the human activity impact on the environment. 

 

Table 3. Blue growth principles and instruments in water infrastructure management 

Principle Meaning Implementation Tool 

Integration ensuring interconnection between various 

sectors, such as water supply, sanitation, 

environmental protection, energy and 

transport, in order to achieve a common 

goal – the efficient and sustainable use of 

water resources. 

 integrated water management 

plan; 

 integrated environmental 

permit.  

Nature-based 

solutions 

taking into account natural processes and 

environmental factors in the planning and 

construction of water management 

infrastructure, in particular, in the 

construction of reservoirs, sewage 

networks, dams, etc. 

 environmental impact 

assessment; 

  the concept of "green 

infrastructure"; 

 ecosystem approach. 

Science-based 

decisions 

use of scientific research and expert 

assessments for decision-making 

regarding the use of water resources and 

the management of water infrastructure. 

 data analysis and forecasting; 

 monitoring and control; 

 modeling; 

• expert systems. 

Resilience the ability of water infrastructure 

management to maintain its performance 

and adapt to changes in the ecological, 

economic and social environment. 

 risk and vulnerability 

assessment of water 

management systems; 

 development a contingency 

plan; 

 development of strategies for 

rapid reaction to changes. 

Innovation application of the latest technologies and 

innovative solutions to improve the 

efficiency and sustainability of the water 

infrastructure. 

 digital technologies; 

 renewable energy sources; 

 modern construction 

materials and technologies. 

Cooperation provides for interconnection between 

various parties, including governmental 

and non-governmental organizations, 

public organizations, scientists, business 

and society to achieve the sustainable use 

of water resources. 

 public consultations; 

 involvement of stakeholders 

in the planning and decision-

making process; 

 creation of platforms for 

information exchange and 

actions coordination. 

Source: developed by the author 

 

 



PRINCIPLES OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT IN ENSURING 

SUSTAINABLE WATER USE IN UKRAINE 

 

80 
 

Water infrastructure management based on the provisions of social responsibility implies 

an understanding of the water industry enterprises impact on society and the natural 

environment and a responsible attitude towards the consequences of this impact. This means 

that water management must respond to the needs of the public, ensure that services are 

accessible to all groups of the population, contribute to positive changes in society and 

prioritize environmental practices. Sharing the vision of О. Grishnova (2011) on 

understanding the essence of social responsibility, it is formed some of the most important 

principles, including:  

Inclusiveness: ensuring equity in access to water resources for everyone, regardless of 

social status and other characteristics. This can be achieved by introducing programs and 

projects that help improve access to water and sanitation for all people, especially those who 

are in a vulnerable state. 

Responsibility: management of the water infrastructure in accordance with the laws, rules 

and regulations relating to the water sector, and responsibility for the consequences of the use 

of water resources and water infrastructure. 

Safety: provides for high-quality drinking water supply to the population, the proper 

technical condition of the infrastructure, as well as safe working conditions for employees of 

water industry organizations. 

Ethics: upholding high standards of virtue and morality in the decision-making process 

of water infrastructure management. This means that decision-making should be based on 

objective facts and analysis, and not on personal interests or corruption. 

Transparency: providing access to information on the state of water resources and water 

infrastructure, the decision-making process and the activities of management bodies through 

open data and reports. 

In previous studies of the author (Khumarova & Mahats, 2023), it was substantiated that 

the organization of water management on the basis of social responsibility will help ensure 

the harmonious development of the economy and the social sphere and will improve the 

quality of life of the population. 

 

CONCLUSIONS 

After the end of the war, the restoration and development of water management 

infrastructure is one of the most important tasks for the economic recovery and the socio-

economic development of territories that have been destroyed as a result of military 

operations. After analyzing the general pre-war problems in the field of water management 

and the current state of the water infrastructure in Ukraine, it was determined that in order to 

ensure sustainable water use in Ukraine, the management of water infrastructure should be 

based on the basic principles of the circular economy, blue growth and social responsibility. 

At the same time, achieving sustainable water use in Ukraine requires cooperation and 

coordination of actions of all stakeholders, including state authorities, public organizations, 

scientific and research institutions, the private sector and society (Carius et al., 2004).  

Until the end of hostilities and the complete de-occupation of the entire territory of 

Ukraine, it is very difficult to assess the scale of the water infrastructure destruction and make 

suggestions on further trends in their restoration. However, based on today's global 



Nataliia MAHATS 

 

81 
 

initiatives, the basic principles of sustainable development and the “build back better”, it is 

possible to propose the main vectors for the subsequent post-war recovery and development 

of Ukraine's water infrastructure (Kitowski et al., 2023): 

- restoration and modernization of water management facilities, considering the 

environmental requirements of the European Union directives; 

- expansion of the centralized water supply and sanitation network, especially in rural areas; 

- reducing the share of traditional energy sources in the supply of water infrastructure and 

increasing the use of renewable energy sources; 

- equipping water infrastructure facilities with innovative technologies and introducing 

"smart" water management systems; 

- designing new water supply and sanitation systems, considering the introduction of water 

recycling practices. 

Thus, introducing these main vectors of water infrastructure development should ensure 

the efficient use of water resources, social justice, environmental conservation and 

sustainable economic growth. 

 

REFERENCES 

1. Apul, D. (2010). Ecological design principles and their implications on water 

infrastructure engineering. Journal of Green Building, 5 (3), 147–164. 

https://doi.org/10.3992/jgb.5.3.147  

2. Bieber, N., Ho Ker, J., Wang, X. et al. (2018). Sustainable planning of the energy-water-

food nexus using decision making tools. Energy Policy, 113, 584-607. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2017.11.037  

3. Bolognesi, T. (2014). The paradox of the modernisation of urban water systems 

inEurope: Intrinsic institutional limits for sustainability. Natural Resources Forum, 

38(4), 270-281. https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-8947.12052 

4. Bulletin of the Observatory of Conflicts and the Environment. (2022). Ukraine conflict 

environmental briefing. https://ceobs.org/ukraine-conflict-environmental-briefing-water/ 

5. Carius, A., Dabelko, G.D., & Wolf, A.T. (2004). Water, conflict, and cooperation. 

Environmental Change and Security Project Report, 10, 60-66.  

6. Cramer, J. (2017). The raw materials transition in the amsterdam metropolitan area: 

added value for the economy. Well-Being and the Environment, 59, 3, 14-21. 

https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.2017.1301167  

7. Gopchak, I., Kovalov, I., Zhuk V. et al. (2022). Determination of damage caused to 

hydro-economic infrastructure facilities as a result of the armed aggression of the russian 

federation against Ukraine. Scientific Bulletin Of Civil Engineering, 108, 2. 

https://doi.org/10.29295/2311-7257-2022-108-2-60-67 

8. Grishnova, O. (2011). Social responsibility in the context of overcoming the systemic 

crisis in Ukraine. Demography and social economy, 1(15), 39-46. 

https://doi.org/10.15407/dse2011.01.039  

9. International Committee of the Red Cross. (1949). Geneva Convention Relative to the 

Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. 

https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6b36d2.html  

10. Kitowski, I., Sujak A., & Drygaś M. (2023). The water dimensions of Russian – 

https://doi.org/10.3992/jgb.5.3.147
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2017.11.037
https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-8947.12052
https://ceobs.org/ukraine-conflict-environmental-briefing-water/
https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.2017.1301167
https://doi.org/10.29295/2311-7257-2022-108-2-60-67
https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6b36d2.html


PRINCIPLES OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT IN ENSURING 

SUSTAINABLE WATER USE IN UKRAINE 

 

82 
 

Ukrainian Conflict. Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecohyd.2023.05.001.  

11. Khumarova, N., & Mahats, N. (2023). Implementation of the conceptual principles of 

business social responsibility in ensuring rational water use. Economic Forum, 1(1), 8-

17. https://doi.org/10.36910/6775-2308-8559-2023-1-2   

12. Khumarova, N.,& Mahats, N. (2022). Wastewater reclaiming and recycling: essence and 

directions for implementation. Economic Innovations. 24, 2(83), 195-204. 

https://doi.org/10.31520/ei.2022.24.2(83).195-204  

13. Khvesyk, M., & Golyan, V. (2014). Modernization of water infrastructure as a factor in 

accelerating the socio-economic development of rural areas. The Economy of Agro-

Industrial Complex, 7, 121-126. http://eapk.org.ua/sites/default/files/eapk/14_07_121-

126.pdf  

14. Kovshun, N. (2015). Financing of the water management complex: mechanisms, trends 

and prospects. Mechanism of Economic Regulation, 4, 118–126. 

https://mer.fem.sumdu.edu.ua/content/acticles/issue_27/NATALIA_E_KOVSHUNFinan

cing_Water_Complex_Mechanisms_Trends_and_Perspective.pdf  

15. Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine. (2021). National 

report on the quality of drinking water and the state of drinking water supply in Ukraine 

in 2020. https://www.minregion.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/naczionalna-

dopovid-pro-yakist-pytnoyi-vody-ta-stan-pytnogo-vodopostachannya-v-ukrayini-u-2020-

roczi.pdf 

16. Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine. (2022). National 

report on the quality of drinking water and the state of drinking water supply in Ukraine 

in 2021. https://www.minregion.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/naczionalna-

dopovid-pro-yakist-pytnoyi-vody-ta-stan-pytnogo-vodopostachannya-v-ukrayini-u-2021-

roczi.pdf  

17. Ministry for Development of Economy and Trade of Ukraine. (2017). National report 

"Sustainable Development Goals: Ukraine". 

https://www.kmu.gov.ua/storage/app/sites/1/natsionalna-dopovid-csr-Ukrainy.pdf 

18. Pauli, G.A. (2010). The Blue Economy: 10 Years, 100 Innovations, 100 Million Jobs. 

Paradigm Publications.  

19. Ramos, H.M., McNabola, A., López-Jiménez, P.A., Pérez-Sánchez, M. (2020). Smart 

water management towards future water sustainable networks. Water, 12(1), 58. 

https://doi.org/10.3390/w12010058  

20. Shumilova, O., Tockner, K., Sukhodolov, A. et al. (2023). Impact of the Russia–Ukraine 

armed conflict on water resources and water infrastructure. Nature Sustainability. 

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-023-01068-x 

21. UNICEF. (2022). Ukraine Country Office Humanitarian Situation Report No. 24. 

https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/media/29836/file/Ukraine-Humanitarian-SitRep-

December-2022.pdf  

22. World Bank, Government of Ukraine, European Commission. (2022). The Ukraine 

Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment. https://www.minregion.gov.ua/wp-

content/uploads/2022/09/ukraine-rdna_report_print.pdf  

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecohyd.2023.05.001
https://doi.org/10.36910/6775-2308-8559-2023-1-2
https://doi.org/10.31520/ei.2022.24.2(83).195-204
http://eapk.org.ua/sites/default/files/eapk/14_07_121-126.pdf
http://eapk.org.ua/sites/default/files/eapk/14_07_121-126.pdf
https://mer.fem.sumdu.edu.ua/content/acticles/issue_27/NATALIA_E_KOVSHUNFinancing_Water_Complex_Mechanisms_Trends_and_Perspective.pdf
https://mer.fem.sumdu.edu.ua/content/acticles/issue_27/NATALIA_E_KOVSHUNFinancing_Water_Complex_Mechanisms_Trends_and_Perspective.pdf
https://www.minregion.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/naczionalna-dopovid-pro-yakist-pytnoyi-vody-ta-stan-pytnogo-vodopostachannya-v-ukrayini-u-2020-roczi.pdf
https://www.minregion.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/naczionalna-dopovid-pro-yakist-pytnoyi-vody-ta-stan-pytnogo-vodopostachannya-v-ukrayini-u-2020-roczi.pdf
https://www.minregion.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/naczionalna-dopovid-pro-yakist-pytnoyi-vody-ta-stan-pytnogo-vodopostachannya-v-ukrayini-u-2020-roczi.pdf
https://www.minregion.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/naczionalna-dopovid-pro-yakist-pytnoyi-vody-ta-stan-pytnogo-vodopostachannya-v-ukrayini-u-2021-roczi.pdf
https://www.minregion.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/naczionalna-dopovid-pro-yakist-pytnoyi-vody-ta-stan-pytnogo-vodopostachannya-v-ukrayini-u-2021-roczi.pdf
https://www.minregion.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/naczionalna-dopovid-pro-yakist-pytnoyi-vody-ta-stan-pytnogo-vodopostachannya-v-ukrayini-u-2021-roczi.pdf
https://www.kmu.gov.ua/storage/app/sites/1/natsionalna-dopovid-csr-Ukrainy.pdf
https://doi.org/10.3390/w12010058
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-023-01068-x
https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/media/29836/file/Ukraine-Humanitarian-SitRep-December-2022.pdf
https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/media/29836/file/Ukraine-Humanitarian-SitRep-December-2022.pdf
https://www.minregion.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ukraine-rdna_report_print.pdf
https://www.minregion.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ukraine-rdna_report_print.pdf

