Access to quality water – a shared goal of “Lutskvodokanal” and UNICEF
Around 30,000 children study in schools within the Lutsk City Territorial Community, and it is extremely important for them to have balanced and safe water. A child’s body is more sensitive to the physiological characteristics and mineral composition of drinking water.
The community includes 36 settlements, 34 of which are small villages. The city’s wastewater treatment facilities cover all of Lutsk and partially nearby areas; however, connecting remote settlements is technically and economically impossible. Therefore, solving the issue of sewage systems in small settlements requires a new and high-quality approach.
Due to the lack of sewage systems, wastewater seeps into the ground, polluting groundwater that residents then use. That’s why the community’s priority is to expand centralized sewage systems as much as possible.
Lutsk City Territorial Community, together with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is implementing the project “Quality of Life. Water”, aimed at improving water supply, sanitation systems, and environmental education.
Among the key directions is the installation of 15 modern local water treatment stations, which will provide clean drinking water to educational institutions across the community. One example is the Water Kids initiative, designed to ensure schools have access to high-quality drinking water.
“Access to clean water is a basic right of every child. We value cooperation with communities that not only understand the importance of this issue but also take systematic action. Lutsk City Territorial Community demonstrates a comprehensive approach – from technological solutions to youth education,” – said Nienke Voppen, Chief of the UNICEF Lviv Field Office.
Education is an integral part of change. As part of its cooperation with UNICEF, Lutskvodokanal conducts educational programs for children, including the “One Water” project. Schoolchildren participate in tours of the enterprise, learning where water comes from, how it is purified, and why it is important to use it responsibly.
Children become agents of change within their families – sharing knowledge with parents and fostering a new culture of environmental responsibility.
Educational outreach is most effective when children see everything with their own eyes. They come to schools, drink quality water, know where it comes from, and understand why it must be protected. That’s how we nurture a new generation of conscious citizens.
Another important direction is the introduction of local wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in small settlements.
By the end of October, the community expects to receive equipment and plans to install three modular systems within six months — in locations with schools, kindergartens, and medical clinics. These systems serve as demonstration sites that not only solve sewage issues but also play an educational role, showing how water is purified and how pollution can be prevented.
The systems are built using Irish technology: compact, energy-efficient, and adapted to small community conditions.
With UNICEF’s support, Lutskvodokanal is installing 26 modern water metering devices integrated into the SCADA system. This will allow real-time monitoring of water supply and wastewater management, analysis of consumption volumes, detection of losses, and improved efficiency in water resource use. Such technologies pave the way for the implementation of artificial intelligence and automated monitoring, marking a step toward environmentally sustainable resource management.
The projects of Lutskvodokanal in partnership with UNICEF and the Lutsk City Council demonstrate that innovation, education, and collaboration are the keys to sustainable development.
Our goal is to help children understand the world around them, develop moral values, and foster respect for people, nature, and their own health.
MUE Lutskvodokanal,
Department of International Cooperation and Project Activities