Well water in Makukhivka is not for drinking

In well water of village Makukhivka, situated near the landfill, there was detected excess concentration of nitrates and heavy metals. Drinking this water for prolonged time causes troubles with internals, oncological and neurologic diseases. Moreover, it is hard to sell an estate as there is dump nearby and the roads are worndown by garbage trucks. These are the outcomes of research “I live near the landfill”, presented by NGO “Ekoltava” on January 17 in Poltava in the office “Diya.Business”. 

Pictures: Stas Panteley

Within the event the researchers and ecologists from “Center of applied ecology”, Ltd. have carried out open analysis of potable water from a well in Makukhivka. According to Nadiya Hroza, laboratory head, the analysis has shown triple excess of nitrates. This water is especially dangerous for pregnant women and infants. The constant effect of nitrates may cause miscarriage and development defects of infants. 

The presentation was visited by representatives of UN Monitoring Mission. They’ve familiarized themselves with the results of analytical report and had a talk with locals about their living in Makukhivka, particularly about violation of their right to access potable water. The observers have promised they will watch the situation and report on these violations on international level. 

Research coordinator, Yuliya Avramenko, has accounted that the landfill is not only overfilled by 130% and continuously grows, but there are also no engineer solutions that halt diffusion of toxic substances and disease-producing factors – that is, anti-filtrate screen, filtrate pump-out and decontamination, sound birdscarers, desinfection vessels for garbage trucks tyres. The exploitation term of this landfill has expired in 2005! 

“This dump must be closed with modern waste management unit established instead.  Immediate measures, namely fire-prevention, anti-trespassing, pump-out and decontamination of filtrate, sprinkling ground, are required”, – emphasized Maryna Sadkina, analyst, NGO “Ekoltava”.

The construction of new waste management unit must take into consideration: the development of clear requirements specification and project feasibility study, assessment of environmental impact and public hearings with comments from all parts considered, enlightening work with the population, explaining that these objects are harmless neighbours and the procedure of reimbursements for the receiving hromada. 

“We’re fed up living next to the dump. Leave alone the odour and trash everywhere, monthly spendings for potable water reach 1000 hryvnias. Nobody gives a damn, nobody cares even a bit, I’m perfectly sure, neither town, nor regional council or the majority of Poltava dwellers, 99% do not care where trash is taken away to. They want it out of their house, the cleaning’s done, at home. What’s the most offensive that people treat it so ironically like «You do not like it? Leave then! What’s the big deal?». Now why should I have to abandon my home?”, – comments Vlada Orlovs’ka, activist from village Makukhivka.

The research “Ecological and social discrimination of population due to the fact of living near the landfill” was being carried out in August-December 2021 by non-government organization «Ekoltava» within The Initiative for Environmental Policy and Advocation in Ukraine, implemented by International fund “Vidrodzhennya” and financed by the government of Sweden.

Presentation video record on YouTube channel of Ekoltava. 

Download the analytical report “I live near the landfill” from organization’s website.