Water for an agricultural enterprise is not only a production resource, but also a separate block of permit documents and requirements. Even if a farm already has a permit for special water use and a well passport, the question may arise of whether it is necessary to additionally develop a sanitary protection zone project. It was precisely this situation that the private farming enterprise "Vidrodzhennia" from the Poltava region, which specializes in growing grain, leguminous, and oilseed crops, encountered.

To obtain a professional clarification, representatives of the farm turned to the UAC legal advisory line, which operates within the framework of a project to support Ukrainian agricultural producers from affected regions in partnership with the international humanitarian organization Mercy Corps.

UAC experts explained: as a general rule, a sanitary protection zone project is mandatory if the well is used for supplying drinking water or for medicinal or health purposes. Such zones are established to protect water supply sources from contamination.

At the same time, if the water is not supplied to people for drinking, is not used for the domestic and drinking needs of workers, but is applied only for economic needs — for example, for irrigation — a direct obligation to develop a sanitary protection zone project does not follow from the legislation.

At the same time, UAC specialists drew the farm's attention to an important detail: it is necessary to take into account not only the actual use of the well, but also the purpose of water use specified in the permit for special water use. If the permit indicates "drinking and sanitary-hygienic needs," the development of a sanitary protection zone project is necessary.

The agricultural producer was also explained that, in practice, controlling authorities may require documents regarding the sanitary protection zone even when the water is used only for economic needs. Such requirements are often connected not so much with direct norms of law as with established administrative practice.

As a reminder, agricultural producers can contact the UAC legal advisory line free of charge with practical questions, in particular regarding the operation of farms — including water use, land relations, reservation, tax accounting, and state support.

To get a consultation, submit your request via the electronic form: https://forms.gle/v56UzTAsrD9Zrx998

For clarification, contact the legal advisory line at: +38 067 522-03-43

For reference:

MERCY CORPS is an international humanitarian organization that operates in more than 40 countries worldwide and provides assistance to people affected by disasters, wars, poverty, and the consequences of climate change.