WATER OVER GOLD - PROTECTION OF ŽITNÝ OSTROV
The Slovak Republic
(
Government
)
#SDGAction51300
Description
Slovakia has the largest natural groundwater reservoir in Central Europe - Žitný ostrov or 'Rye Island'. Its water originally comes from The Danube river. At current average consumption, it can supply more than 16 million inhabitants, Slovakia itself has 5 million. The current hydrological conditions are strongly influenced by the construction of the Gabčíkovo Water Structure (electricity plant). The land use of the area is devoted mainly to agricultural purposes. Podunajska Lowland area is supposed to suffer from droughts according to long-term predictions. During the summer of 2022, parts of Europe experienced drought conditions exacerbated by heat waves. The quality of underground sources of drinking water is insufficiently controlled. State authorities under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment, responsible for monitoring the quality of water resources, do not have sufficient and accurate information. The early warning system does not work, there is no information about possible sources of pollution, or the databases are not linked, so they do not reach those who are supposed to have them in real time. Slovakia lacks a central register of point and surface sources of groundwater pollution (e.g. factories, wastewater treatment plants, agricultural, large residential agglomerations), which is a key tool in an effective water protection system. Sources of drinking water are threatened by increasing pollution by various substances penetrating into underground reservoirs. Therefore, the question of healthy and sustainable development of society is how to protect this precious and irreplaceable wealth, because we can lose it through our own carelessness.
The quality of the water we drink is an existential issue. Up to 80% of the supply of drinking water in the Slovak Republic is provided by underground water sources. Therefore, the protection of groundwater resources should be our primary concern. How is it in reality? The water should be monitored better and more often, the public should have better access to the results of analysis and potential risks. The discussion should be focused on the current state of surface and underground water quality in the Žitný ostrov, the measures that can mitigate the consequences of environmental burdens should be taken as soon as possible. Žitný ostrov is directly and unstoppably endangered by chemical pollution leaking from Vrakuňa landfill with the waste from production of former Chemical Plants of Georgi Dimitrov, but also by other industrial activities in Bratislava. Rovinka is the first village in the direction of groundwater flow from Bratislava to Žitný ostrov. That is why we started to have done our own water analysis since 2019. It should be our priority to clean these land mines affecting the ground water negatively. Also spreading awareness why the clean water matters is task that should not be underestimated.
The Government of the Slovak Republic
The Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic
Bratislava Self-Governing Region
City of Bratislava
All municipalities of Žitný ostrov area
https://obecrovinka.sk/hovorme-spolu-o-cistej-vode/
https://www.slovenskyreporter.sk/verejna-diskusia-v-rovinke-otvorila-te…
https://youtu.be/p5SbbjIAzQ4
https://www.facebook.com/reporteri.rtvs/videos/720055052937958
https://obecrovinka.sk/verejna-diskusia-o-vode/
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=623360053135078&set=pcb.6233601131…
https://obecrovinka.sk/voda/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1338693023322366
https://www.facebook.com/groups/271561384248659
https://www.facebook.com/VeronikaBasta2018
SDGS & Targets
Goal 6
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

6.1
By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
6.1.1
Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services
6.2
By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
6.2.1
Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water
6.3
By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.3.1
Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated
6.3.2
Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality
6.4
6.4.1
Change in water-use efficiency over time
6.4.2
Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources
6.5
By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
6.5.1
Degree of integrated water resources management
6.5.2
Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation
6.6
6.6.1
Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time
6.a
6.a.1
Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan
6.b
Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
6.b.1
Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management
SDG 14 targets covered
Name | Description |
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Deliverables & Timeline
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
Feedback
Action Network

Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Region
- Europe
Other beneficiaries
More than 16 million inhabitants of Central Europe.
More information
Countries

Contact Information
Veronika, Member of Rovinka Municipality Council
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