PRYHORNYTSKA O. S., KHILCHEVSKYI V.K. ASSESSMENT OF WATER RESOURCE POTENTIAL AND WATER USE DYNAMICS IN THE PRIPYAT RIVER BASIN UNDER LOW WATER CONDITIONS
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2306-5680.2025.4.1
Hydrology, Hydrochemistry and Hydroecology. 2025. № 4(78)
Publication language: Ukrainian
Authors:
Pryhornytska O. S., Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
Khilchevskyi V.K., Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
The article presents a comprehensive study of the current state and management of water resources in the Prypiat River sub-basin, which is a strategic transboundary region for Ukraine. The research methodology is based on the analysis of long-term hydrological data, assessment of groundwater potential, and water management balance calculations. Using the method of difference integral curves of runoff for key monitoring posts (Prypiat–Richytsia, Styr–Shchurovychi, Sluch–Hromada, Uzh–Korosten), the cyclical nature of water content fluctuations over the last 50 years was analyzed. It was identified that since the early 21st century (specifically from 2002), the region has entered a stable and prolonged low-water phase caused by regional climate changes (temperature rise, uneven precipitation). This natural factor is defined as a critical constraint for future water management planning.
The study characterizes the hydrogeological conditions of the sub-basin, highlighting the significant potential of groundwater resources (prognostic resources are estimated at 7200 thousand m³/day). Special attention is paid to the Upper Cretaceous aquifer, which serves as the main source of drinking water for large cities (Lutsk, Rivne) due to its high natural protection from surface pollution. The current level of groundwater development remains low (2.7–9.6%), indicating a significant strategic reserve.
The dynamics and structure of water use in the sub-basin for the period 2019–2023 were analyzed. Sectoral disparities were revealed: the industrial sector (energy) dominates in water withdrawal (41.8%), predominantly using surface water for cooling processes. At the same time, the housing and communal services sector (30.5% of withdrawal) is the main source of anthropogenic load, generating about 97% of polluted wastewater discharges into surface water bodies due to the worn-out state of treatment facilities. The analysis of forecast scenarios for water withdrawal up to 2030, defined in the approved Dnipro River Basin Management Plan, indicates a likely increase in water consumption to 273.4 million m³ under the realistic scenario of post-war recovery. The study substantiates the necessity of adapting the water management complex to low-water conditions through the modernization of treatment infrastructure and the priority use of protected groundwater reserves for drinking water supply.
Keywords: Prypiat sub-basin; water resources; runoff cyclicity; low water; groundwater; water use; river basin management; RBMP.
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HOW TO CITE
Pryhornytska, O.S., Khilchevskyi, V.K. (2025). Assessment of water resource potential and water use dynamics in the Pripyat river basin under low water conditions. Hidrolohiia, hidrokhimiia i hidroekolohiia [Hydrology, Hydrochemistry and Hydroecology], 4(78), 6-12 (in Ukrainian, abstr. in English). https://doi.org/10.17721/2306-5680.2025.4.1