The condition and functionality of dams in Odesa region are a cornerstone for meeting the region’s vital needs: irrigation of agricultural fields and population access to clean drinking water. These hydraulic structures, part of the broader Danube river basin, play a critical role in supporting the agricultural sector of Ukrainian Bessarabia and the health of hundreds of thousands of people. However, their current unsatisfactory condition creates a cascade of risks that threaten both economic stability and environmental security.
For Odesa’s agrarian sector—especially in the context of global warming and expanding arid zones—functional irrigation systems are a strategic imperative for economic growth. Historically, many irrigation networks built during the Soviet era have deteriorated due to the wear and tear of pumping stations, pipelines, and canals that were operated without proper maintenance. This has led to a dramatic reduction in irrigated land in Odesa region: from 243,000 hectares in 1991 to less than 40,000 hectares today—a decline of over 200,000 hectares.
A tragic example is the Sasyk Reservoir, which failed to be desalinated as planned. Its persistently salty water caused soil salinization and degradation of the rich Bessarabian chernozems, rendering the Danube-Dniester irrigation system unusable since the late 1990s.
Moreover, the potential collapse of key dams, such as the one on the Skunda canal, poses a direct threat of flooding up to 1,000 hectares of farmland, leading to significant economic losses. Thus, the condition of dams and irrigation systems directly determines the productivity of the agricultural sector, impacting food security and the well-being of local farmers.
At the same time, dams and associated water bodies are critical for ensuring access to clean drinking water. The Danube River and ten Danube-adjacent lakes (Yalpuh, Kugurluy, Katlabukh, Kitay, Sasyk, Kagul, Kartal, Alibey, Burnas, Shagany) are the main sources of drinking water for the Danube settlements in Odesa region. However, the situation with water access is dire: only 57% of rural settlements have centralized water supply, and of that, 83% of supplied water does not meet the national “drinking water” standards. A total of 182 settlements have no reliable water supply and rely on delivered water or low-quality well water.
The emergency state of hydraulic structures, such as the protective dam at the 97th km of the Danube (Repida lock), poses a direct threat of flooding wells supplying drinking water to nearly 100,000 people. Water quality in the Danube is also affected by severe transboundary pollution (over 200,000 tons of oil products, 12,000 tons of zinc, and 80 tons of mercury are discharged into the Black Sea annually) and acute local incidents, such as a 66-fold excess of ammonium nitrogen in the Zhelyavsky canal. These pollutants directly compromise drinking water safety and public health.
The current condition of a large part of the dams and hydraulic infrastructure in the Danube basin of Odesa is alarming. Of 410 hydraulic structures, 85 (totaling 285.14 km) are in emergency or unsatisfactory condition. This creates a catastrophic risk of large-scale flooding that could displace tens of thousands of people and cause billions in damages. The situation is worsened by a critical lack of data on the resilience of many dams, which hampers effective forecasting and proactive risk management. Despite available project documentation, implementation is hindered by acute underfunding and institutional barriers, exemplified by the failed tender for the Repida dam due to lack of bids.
The interconnection between dam conditions, irrigation, and water access is clear and creates a vicious cycle of degradation. Neglected dams increase flood risks, which destroy farmland and contaminate water sources. Inefficient irrigation systems lead to water shortages and soil degradation, weakening the region’s economic potential. Water pollution—both transboundary and local—makes it unfit for consumption and irrigation, exacerbating health problems and agricultural productivity. This cycle is fueled by systemic issues: lack of financing, fragmented institutional responsibility, and complex international grant requirements that hinder timely, comprehensive interventions.
The state and functionality of dams in Odesa region are critically important for the region’s livelihood. Their degradation not only jeopardizes agriculture and drinking water access but also poses major risks to safety and public well-being. Solving these issues requires urgent, coordinated, and comprehensive action—including major investments, institutional reform, and enhanced international cooperation—to ensure the sustainable development and safety of the Danube region.