The campaign in support of P-free detergents in order to prevent “blossoming” of the Dnipro river by blue green algae, started from the 1st of June 2018 (Dnipro Day), becomes widespread with the first results of the problem discussion in society: There are more than 24000 interactions in social network (Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, SAWR, European Union in Ukraine, EU neighbours East, Facebook group of EUWI+, reposts by different organizations and persons) in the way of dynamic discussions, list of “right” laundry detergents and links on them.
The campaign, originally conceived to address the population – individual water consumers, also raised interest among private companies – important industrial water users*. Like this the Ukrainian Joint Stock Company "Ukrhydroenergo" joins the campaign. Their best case practice sharing by the Kremenchug HPP is 65% reduction of the phosphates in discharged wastewater due to abandoning the use of phosphate detergents, since 2014.
* NB: in Ukraine most fresh water (48% of total consumption) is used by industry, 40% of water goes to agriculture, 12% to housing and communal services of cities and other settlements.The main problems related to the protection of Ukraine's water resources consist in the pollution of water bodies with harmful emissions and insufficiently treated industrial and domestic wastewater, as well as low productivity of treatment facilities.
The campaign also raised interest among NGOs. The Public council of Environmental NGOs under the MENR asked for support in conduction of a special training for key journalists and Association of Consumers of Ukraine, regarding impact of everyday practices on water pollution, raising the issue of laundry detergents. Such training might be organized jointly with APENA project at the end of July.