Crimea is the region of Russia with the largest volume of water losses when delivered to the consumer, this is due to the lack of water on the Peninsula, said the head of Rosvodresurs Dmitry Kirillov.
"In general, such alarming data as for the Crimea, there is no more anywhere – water loss on the way to the consumer reaches 80%. The average level of this indicator in Russian regions is 20-30%, " Kirillov said.
He called such water losses unacceptable in a "water-deficient" region. "The main issue is not the search for water, but rather the careful attitude and rational use," the official said.
Kirillov said that even in Crimea, the volume of water extracted from explored underground sources is about 44% of the approved reserves.
The head of Rosvodresurs also warned that in 2021 the situation may be as difficult.
"Low water is a cyclical phenomenon: it happens about once every seven years in increments of two years. There were years when the water level in the Simferopol reservoir was even lower. And perhaps in 2021, we will face a continuation of low water. So measures to save water and increase water productivity in the Republic are certainly necessary, " he said.
Previously, Ukraine provided up to 85% of Crimea's freshwater needs through the North Crimean channel running from the Dnieper. However, after the reunification of Crimea with Russia, the water supply through the channel to the Republic was completely stopped unilaterally. The issue of water supply was solved by natural reservoirs, which had become significantly shallow over the past year due to low precipitation, as well as by drilling wells and extracting water from underground sources.
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Based on materials from RIA Novosti