Who is polluting the Dnipro river in Kyiv — and how to stop an ecological disaster

Since 2019, the issue of systematic poisoning of the Dnipro by major polluters has gained public resonance. Investigative media reports revealed that water quality in most Kyiv water bodies is poor or outright dangerous. Over 2 billion cubic meters of wastewater are discharged into Ukrainian bodies of water annually — with about one-third being untreated. The war with Russia has only worsened the ecological impact, particularly on the Dnipro and its tributaries.

How Impunity Poisons

On Kyiv’s left bank near Rusanivski Gardens, eco-activists from the #StopPoisoningDniproRiver initiative and residents of the Dniprovskyi district have documented wastewater discharges into the Dnipro from Kyivvodokanal’s collectors for years. An unscheduled inspection by the State Environmental Inspectorate in February 2020 uncovered serious violations of environmental law, with damages to the state estimated at over UAH 16.3 million. This was the first large-scale inspection in years, made possible through civic activism, media coverage, and a petition to the president.

Despite the public outcry, Kyivvodokanal denied the violations, citing its own quality control. It refused a follow-up inspection and avoided fines through a court ruling. Moreover, it filed a countersuit against the State Environmental Inspectorate over the unplanned inspection, effectively blocking further monitoring.

Kyivvodokanal has repeatedly appeared in anti-rankings by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources and the State Water Resources Agency as one of the country’s biggest polluters. The reason? Outdated technologies from the 1960s that have never been upgraded. A striking example is the infamous Bortnychi Aeration Station, which has poisoned the densely populated Pozniaky and Osokorky districts for decades. A Japanese loan of $1.1 billion granted in 2015 for reconstruction failed to improve the situation. The people of Kyiv’s left bank still suffer from the stench.

A July 29, 2019, letter from the Kyiv City State Administration’s Ecology and Natural Resources Department (whose officials were recently caught on camera dining during a national day of mourning at the Dnipro Water Intake Station) noted that the reconstruction of the Desnianska Station with new wastewater treatment technology had been planned for 2019 under Kyivvodokanal’s investment program. Construction was scheduled for 2020–2021. Today, photos from the discharge site show untreated water flowing directly into the Dnipro — despite Kyivvodokanal profiting from water quality.

€70 Million in Promises

After yet another discharge on May 16, Kyivvodokanal released a statement claiming that the Desnianska Water Treatment Plant’s chemical lab monitors the process. It also announced plans to upgrade its treatment technology using a €70 million loan from France under the Concessional Treasury Loans Program.

Notably, the credit agreement was ratified in 2021, but Kyivvodokanal has not even begun the project. Signing the loan and sub-loan agreements is still pending — and may never happen, given the failure of the Japanese-funded Bortnychi project. Despite profiting from clean water, Kyivvodokanal has shown little interest in improving its systems. Inspections have previously found serious violations, and the company has been fined millions of hryvnias for exceeding pollution limits. Yet it refuses to admit any wrongdoing.

What Else Don’t We Know About Water Utilities?

Water pollution is not just a Kyiv issue. Across Ukraine, water utilities operate without proper environmental oversight and still use outdated purification technologies. These utilities hold a monopoly over permitting wastewater discharges and monitoring compliance.

One example: a meat and fish storage facility that uses water for freezing and cleaning. The waste must be disposed of — the only legal option being through the city’s sewage system managed by the utility. Businesses must obtain discharge permits and pay the required fees. Officially, there are strict requirements — grease traps, regular cleaning, purification systems — but in reality, monitoring is weak. Some choose to “look the other way,” even knowing the ecological risks. This is why systematic inspections and the detection of unauthorized sewer connections are critical — especially from industrial facilities and car washes. Much of this unregulated waste ends up in the Dnipro, posing a severe threat to public health. The Dnipro provides water to 70% of Ukraine’s population, and Kyiv regularly sees outbreaks of diseases like Hepatitis A.

Where Is the Environmental Oversight?

Despite having many government bodies tasked with environmental protection, most major violations are uncovered by activists, journalists, and concerned citizens. The Dnipro's pollution has long been known by authorities, but their response has been undermined by apathy, lack of authority, and political will.

Although environmental issues are often publicly discussed, leadership positions in relevant agencies have typically gone to individuals with no real commitment to nature protection. International partners, like the EU and Japan, expected real change when providing financial support — but corruption, fraud, and shady programs have undermined progress.

Government restructuring and reshuffling of staff have not improved oversight. Even the Cabinet’s initiative to reform the State Environmental Inspectorate has failed without a full system reboot. The real issue lies in appointing loyal rather than qualified officials, many of whom view the environment as a business opportunity, not a duty.

Only a comprehensive approach — combining legislation, institutional reform, and tough enforcement — can improve Ukraine’s environmental oversight and reduce water pollution, especially in the Dnipro River.

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