Events

“Water resources of our country are indeed sufficient to meet the current and future needs. Water availability per capita in Belarus is 6,100 cubic meters per capita per year and is close to the European average but much higher than in neighboring countries: Poland with 1,700 cubic meters per capita per year and Ukraine with 4,100 cubic meters per capita,” the minister said.

However, the underground water resources are distributed unevenly throughout the country: Minsk Oblast has the greatest amount of groundwater depth, and Brest Oblast the lowest.

The quality of groundwater, including mineral water, and their stocks are sufficient enough to meet the domestic drinking needs, to export bottled water, and also use it for therapeutic and recreational purposes. About 50 health resorts in Belarus provide services using more than 30 kinds of mineral water.

“All these facts indicate that our country is not facing the problem of the shortage of freshwater. However, this does not mean that we can mindlessly use this invaluable resource. Therefore, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection conducts a coherent state policy aimed at improving the use and the quality of water resources. We actively promote advanced energy and resource-saving technologies that reduce the water consumption intensity and also small-use and waterless production technologies,” Andrei Kovkhuto said.

In Belarus there are more 20,000 rivers, about 10,000 lakes, and 153 artificial water bodies.