ORIGINAL TEXTBOOK “WATER BODIES OF UKRAINE AND RECREATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY” WAS PUBLISHED

Abstract

The content of the textbook “Water bodies of Ukraine and Recreational Water Quality Assessment” published by Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University professors Valentyn Khilchevskyi and Vasyl Grebin in 2022 was analyzed. The textbook, which is the first of its kind in Ukraine, describes water bodies objects of Ukraine, which gives an idea of their recreational potential. The book examines WHO recommendations on recreational water quality and the creation of recreational water safety plans, the EU directive on bathing water quality management, and features of regulatory assessment of water quality for recreational purposes in Ukraine. Quantitative characteristics of natural and artificial surface water bodies on the territory of Ukraine are as follows: 63,119 rivers; about 20 thousand lakes; 1054 reservoirs; 50793 – ponds; 6 large channels. The importance of the use of water for recreational purposes in the 21st century is put on a par with the economic and drinking and industrial water supply, as well as for the purposes of agriculture and energy. The WHO recommendations on recreational water quality, which are discussed in the training manual, are aimed at protecting public health through the safe management of water quality for recreational purposes, in particular: establishing national health targets for recreational waters, which include: microbial content (from fecal pollution); cyanotoxins (from harmful algal blooms); if necessary – other microbial hazards, beach sand and chemicals; development and implementation of recreational water safety plans (RWPS) for priority bathing places; carrying out constant surveillance and informing about the risks of diseases associated with recreational water and timely provision of information about health risks to the public. The training manual emphasizes that along with the normative assessment of the state of beaches by controlling state bodies, a system of international voluntary environmental certification of beach management is developing in the world. The “Blue Flag” program belongs to them. In 2021, 4,831 beaches and marinas in 50 countries received the Blue Flag. Beaches that received the “Blue Flag” are included in the list of the World Tourism Organization as recommended for visiting. Ukraine joined the Blue Flag program in 2010. And in 2021, 19 Ukrainian beaches were awarded the Blue Flag certificate..