Nearly 15% of Water Samples from Ukrainian Beaches Found Unsafe

Water Quality Monitoring in Ukraine

According to Міністерство Здоров'я: Between May 29 and June 3, 2026, authorities collected 81 water samples from rivers and reservoirs located within official beach zones across Ukraine. Of these, 12 samples-or 14.8%-failed to meet microbiological safety standards. As of June 4, a list was released identifying beaches where water quality is deemed safe, as well as those where swimming is prohibited due to non-compliance with regulations.

In Kyiv, the beach season has not officially begun, and the same applies to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and the Kyiv region. In Mykolaiv Oblast, swimming is banned under a directive from the regional military administration. No official river beaches are registered in Zakarpattia, Odesa, or Sumy Oblasts. Meanwhile, recreational and health zones on water bodies in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Kherson Oblasts will remain closed throughout 2026.

Safe and Restricted Beaches

Specialists from regional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conduct weekly water quality monitoring. Based on the data collected, the following beaches in Ukraine are considered safe:

• Kyiv (Dnipro District: Venice, Veselka, Molodizhnyi, Peredmistna Slobidka, Tsentralnyi; Desna District: Chortoryi)
• Volyn Oblast (Lutsk, Novovolynsk, Liubeshiv, Shatsk UTC on Lake Svityaz, Hriada tract, Kovel on the Turia River, Berestechko on the Styr River, Zghorany village)
• Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (Sahaidak, Prydniprovskyi Park of Culture and Recreation, Monastyrskyi Island in Dnipro, Zhovti Vody, Pavlohrad, Zelenodolsk, Kamianske embankment, Samara)
• Zhytomyr Oblast (Zviahel on Bohuna Street, Sluch River)
• Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (Ivano-Frankivsk, Polyanytsia village)
• Kyiv Oblast (Chaika children's beach in Chaika village)
• Kirovohrad Oblast (Novoarkhanhelsk on the Syniukha River)
• Lviv Oblast (Zolochiv on Lake Molodizhne, Morshyn, Peremyshliany, Vereshchytsia village, Honyatychi, Pidberiztsi, Korosne, Verbizh village on Lake Zadorozhnie)
• Mykolaiv Oblast (Raiduha in Pervomaisk, Pivdennoukrainsk, Nova Odesa, Strilka in Mykolaiv, Chaika in Mykolaiv)
• Odesa Oblast (Odesa: Vidrada, Luzanivka, Arkadia, Delphin, 10th, 13th, 16th stations of Velykyi Fontan; Chornomorsk: Tsentralnyi)
• Poltava Oblast (Myrhorod on the Khorol River, Kobeliaky, Kremenchuk on the Dnipro and Sukhyi Kahamlyk Rivers, Bilyky and Novi Sanzhary on the Vorskla River, Svitlohirske)
• Rivne Oblast (Dubrovytsia on the Horyn River, Zdolbuniv, Rivne on Lake Basiv Kut, Mlyniv, Hoshcha)
• Ternopil Oblast (Ternopil, Zaliztsi)
• Khmelnytskyi Oblast (Slavuta on the Bohushivka River, Krasyliv, Polonne on the Khomora River, Netishyn, Starokostiantyniv, Iziaslav on the Horyn River, Villa Dvi Riky in Velyka Slobidka)
• Cherkasy Oblast (Cherkasy, Bahacheve)
• Chernivtsi Oblast (Velykyi Kuchuriv, Boiany, Mahala)
• Chernihiv Oblast (Zolotyi Bereh in Chernihiv)

Meanwhile, swimming is prohibited at the following beaches:

• Kyiv (Dnipro District: Dytiachyi, Zolotyi, Telbin; Desna District: Raiduha, Troieshchyna; Holosiiv District: Halernyi; Obolon District: Ostriv Obolon, Verbnyi, Pushcha-Vodytsia)
• Vinnytsia Oblast (Vinnytsia: Khimik, Honty, Tsentralnyi on the Southern Buh River)
• Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (Kryvyi Rih on the Inhulets and Saksahan Rivers)
• Zhytomyr Oblast (Korosten on the Uzh River, Zhytomyr at Hidropark on the Teteriv River)
• Ternopil Oblast (Khorostkiv near the Dubyna tract)
• Khmelnytskyi Oblast (Khmelnytskyi, Shepetivka)
• Chernivtsi Oblast (Chernivtsi)

Water quality testing was not conducted in several locations, including Pereiaslav and Bila Tserkva (Tsentralnyi) in Kyiv Oblast; Svitlovodsk, Vilne village, and Haivoron in Kirovohrad Oblast; and in Odesa Oblast (Sychavka, Hrybivka, Zatoka, Kurortne, Velyka Balabanivka, Serhiivka, Prymorske).

The water quality situation at Ukrainian beaches underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and oversight, as a notable portion of samples failed to meet sanitary standards. This is especially relevant given that the beach season remains unopened in many regions, and swimmers should exercise caution when choosing where to bathe. It is essential to heed expert recommendations and adhere to restrictions to minimize potential health risks.

In light of the recent findings regarding water safety at Ukrainian beaches, it is essential for residents and visitors to stay informed about the latest updates and restrictions. For instance, Kyiv has prohibited swimming at several locations while identifying those with acceptable water quality, ensuring public safety during the summer months.