Hydro-economic problems of Crimea and their solutions

Abstract

The paper presents characteristics of Crimea’s hydro-economic situation and demonstrates the necessity of solving problems that have already accumulated in the regional economy’s water sector, as well as new ones generated by the political decision by certain Ukrainian authorities to reunify Crimea with Russia. Socioeconomic and environmental impacts of the deliberately created water resource shortage are described. Ways of reducing hydro-economic tension and related problems are analyzed. Priority measures addressing Crimea’s water supply and results of their implementation are considered, as well as regional development programs. The study has shown that the territorial redistribution of local water resources (river runoff and groundwater) can provide Crimea with drinking and public water. However, the shortage of irrigation water remains a problem, because the region does not have water resources to the extent necessary for irrigated agriculture. Large reserves for increasing water resources are related to reducing their losses (both in housing and communal services and in land reclamation) and rational water use (especially by decreasing or halting the use of clean drinking water for technical needs). We believe that a major way to decrease the water resource shortage and to meet agricultural and industrial needs is desalination of seawater. International practice has proved the efficiency of such a method.