Today, the Lepel State Agrarian-Technical College was bustling with activity. Educators from leading higher education institutions of Belarus, along with their students, employees of the International Non-Governmental Environmental Organization "EcoBuilder", partners from Germany (online), and college students participated in a large-scale scientific conference titled "Clean Water and Sanitary Facilities in the Context of Climate Change".
Today, the Lepel State Agrarian-Technical College was bustling with activity. Educators from leading higher education institutions of Belarus, along with their students, employees of the International Non-Governmental Environmental Organization "EcoBuilder", partners from Germany (online), and college students participated in a large-scale scientific conference titled "Clean Water and Sanitary Facilities in the Context of Climate Change".
Although the title may seem somewhat complex and official, the event was conducted in a very vibrant, informative, and accessible manner for a teenage audience.
The conference was organised within the framework of project PN 117 "Protection and Conservation of Water Resources in Belarus" and is intended for students of technical educational institutions, as well as experts and specialists in the water sector.
Beneficial Experience within the Project
As noted by the Director of the educational institution, Oleg Lebed, partnership relations have already been established between the International Non-Governmental Environmental Organization "EcoBuilder" and the college. This topic is very relevant and important for the students, as they study the discipline "Water Supply, Wastewater Disposal, and Water Resource Protection". Many of them will soon become specialists and commence professional activities at enterprises, and the knowledge gained will be highly valuable.
Thus, within the project framework, a seminar titled "Protection and Conservation of Water Resources in Belarus" was held in October last year. During this seminar, the topics of "Energy Saving and Drinking Water Hygiene" and "Hot Water Supply and Heating of a Facility Using Modern Energy-Efficient Technologies" were discussed, using the example of a cultural and educational centre in the village of Stary Lepel.
In February of this year, students from study group 283c participated in a seminar titled "Basic Principles of Sand-Gravel Filter Operation Using the Example of a Functioning Treatment Facility in the village of Stakhovtsy" in the Myadel district. An excursion to a functioning treatment facility, a visit to a wind power installation, and a tour of a reed product manufacturing facility – all of these generated genuine interest among the teenagers, as evidenced by their numerous questions to the seminar organisers and the materials from the questionnaire survey.
A partner from Germany joined the discussion.
Edeltraud Schill, Chairperson of the Board of the charitable organisation Heim-statt Tschernobyl e.V., addressed the attendees online. Lepel has become a cherished place for her over many years of cooperation.
— You have a very interesting programme today, with many exciting and new discoveries. It is crucial to treat water with care, protect it, and preserve clean water, as it is the foundation of all life. We must do everything possible to conserve water resources not only for ourselves but also for future generations. I wish you courage for new ideas and success in implementing these initiatives, — Edeltraud noted via video link.
She also thanked all the organisers of this important event and wished the conference successful proceedings.
Water Resources of Belarus
Tamara Makarevich, Associate Professor at the Department of General Ecology and Biology Teaching Methods of Belarusian State University, spoke about the water resources of Belarus and the ecological quality of surface waters.
Tamara Alexandrovna began her report with general information about the country's water resources, emphasising that the territory of Belarus serves as a watershed for the Baltic and Black Sea basins.
She also touched upon the topic of water's ecological quality. It is encouraging that 68 percent of surface water bodies in Belarus have an ecological status of "good and above".
Oleg Lebed drew the audience's attention to the rational use of water bodies. The expert also discussed the main tasks of water management, water use, and water consumption.
— Lepel region, I am confident, is the most ecologically safe corner of Belarus. It is no coincidence that residents from other districts and regions come here on weekends and holidays to spend time in nature. The pearl of untouched nature in our region is the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, — noted Oleg Valerievich.
He also spoke about water intake wells, iron removal stations, and the ecological status of the district's water bodies.
Anna Likhacheva, Head of the Department of Industrial Ecology at Belarusian State Technological University, discussed the water supply and wastewater treatment facilities.
The presentation by Kristian Schulz, Director/Design Engineer and expert from Germany, was both interesting and useful. He focused onfor effective local wastewater treatment and the basic principles of operation of sand and gravel filters, where they are best applied.
Recommendations for the design, construction, and operation of sand and gravel filters for wastewater treatment facilities were provided by Vladimir Anufriev, Associate Professor of the Department of "Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal" at the Belarusian National Technical University.
Vladimir Nikolaevich noted that constructed wetlands are mechanical and biological methods of wastewater treatment based on the interaction of soil, microorganisms, and plants. Treatment occurs without the use of electrical components. The speaker elaborated on how the biological treatment method works, the composition of domestic wastewater, methods of wastewater treatment, and biological treatment processes for effluents.
The project results were summarised by Yuri Suprinovich, Executive Director of the International Charitable Public Association "EcoStroitel".
Yuri Leontievich noted that the project organisers are the charitable organisation "Domam vmesto Chernobyli" (Homes Instead of Chernobyl) and the international charitable public association "EcoStroitel". Project partners include the Lepel District Executive Committee, Educational Institution "Lepel State Agrarian-Technical College", and Educational Institution "Starolepel State General Secondary School".
The project's aim is to implement innovative and sustainable approaches in rural areas using German and Belarusian experience and to strengthen the professional competencies of Belarusian partners in the field of water supply, water resource protection, and the design and construction of wastewater treatment facilities.
The target group includes students of technical educational institutions, as well as experts and specialists in the water sector.
Within the framework of the project, 11 training seminars and scientific conferences were held for students, pupils, schoolchildren, and specialists on the topic "Clean Water and Sanitation Facilities in the Context of Climate Change", 9 excursions to the Naroch Lake region (reed production in the village of Zanroch), as well as a project presentation and an event dedicated to World Water Day.
In addition, an excursion to Germany was organised in October of this year, during which participants visited wastewater treatment and water preparation facilities, familiarised themselves with their operation and architectural and construction features, and addressed issues of energy saving and energy supply.
As noted by experts and the university and college students themselves, the conference was
rich and very informative, it contributes to the improvement of professional skills and the formation of a healthy youth environment.
Natalia Khrapovitskaya. Newspaper "Lepelsky Krai"