The operator partnership between Husiatyn (Ukraine) and Baruth/Mark, which has been running for a year now, has already seen four joint work efforts on site in Husiatyn (Ukraine) as well as one job shadowing of Ukrainian colleagues to Baruth.

The town of Husiatyn is located in western Ukraine, around 70 km south-east of Ternopil. Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, the small town of around 6,000 inhabitants has taken in over 1,000 internally displaced persons. Among other things, this has put a considerable additional strain on the existing electricity and water supply system, which has also been destroyed by Russian attacks. Baruth/Mark is located around 60 km south of Berlin and, with a population of around 4,300, is a small town of a similar size to Husiatyn.

The first joint areas of activity between the two water companies were discussed in advance during an initial meeting in August 2022 as part of their long-standing friendship: Due to recurring bottlenecks in the drinking water supply, the water storage reserves in Husiatyn are to be increased and the drinking water supply largely ensured even in the event of a power cut. In order to address these areas of activity, WABAU approached the Utility Platform with a request to promote an operator partnership. This led to the establishment of a solidarity operator partnership between the water company WABAU from Baruth/Mark and the Ukrainian water supplier Husiatynvodokanal in August 2023. The water companies of both municipalities quickly found a common working basis based on the friendly relationship and memorandum of understanding that had already existed for years.

The first joint work effort took place in Husiatyn at the end of October 2023. The further procedure was agreed and the existing facilities were analysed. It turned out that the sewage treatment plant was in a poor condition due to a lack of funds. However, due to the greater urgency, the focus of the cooperation will initially remain on securing the drinking water supply.

A return visit by the colleagues from Husiatyn followed in February 2024. The Ukrainian colleagues were able to gain many impressions by visiting the drinking water facilities, waterworks, administration, various construction sites in the drinking water sector as well as the pumping stations and sewage treatment plant in Baruth/Mark. Among other things, they discussed the use of digital water meters, the application of geoinformation systems and ways to improve wastewater disposal.

In March and May 2024, the colleagues from Baruth again travelled to Husiatyn for two more joint work efforts. The German colleagues always travel via the long overland route and had procured equipment on board. At the Ukrainian border, they have to expect long waiting times, which they accept for their work efforts in Husiatyn. Once they arrived in Husiatyn, they exchanged expertise with their colleagues and handed over the equipment they had brought with them. The progress of the construction work is also monitored together and trainings were facilitated.

An effective collaboration developed from which Husiatyn is already benefiting:

• Four efficient pumps for the fresh water wells were procured, installed and are now in operation. They work without any loss of power and reduce electricity consumption.
• A new water tank has been installed to increase the drinking water reserves.
• A solar system was installed for the waterworks to make it independent of the central power supply.
• A large emergency generator with an output of 64 KW was supplied and supports the power supply to the waterworks in the event of power cuts.
• Four ‘Paul’ water backpacks were handed over to a hospital, a health centre, a kindergarten and a school. This water filter works without electricity and can produce up to 1,000 litres of drinking water per day from river water, for example.
• Various materials were also brought along for the fire brigade in Husiatyn.

During the fourth visit to Husiatyn in May 2024, water losses due to burst pipes and the quality of the drinking water were discussed.

A further visit was set for 2024 in order to coordinate further projects. It is clear that this successful collaboration will continue. In addition to all the technical successes, they have also become close as people.