Use of water intake structures in pond fish farming: technical aspects and ecological safety

The article explores modern technical solutions in the field of water intake structures used in pond aquaculture in Ukraine, with an emphasis on their environmental impact and potential for modernization. In the context of growing demand for fish products, the efficiency of water intake becomes critically important for maintaining water quality, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring the stable productivity of aquaculture systems. The aim of this study is to analyze structural types of water intake facilities, assess their technical performance, and evaluate their impact on the aquatic environment. The methodology is based on field surveys of fish farms in Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Poltava, and Odesa regions conducted during 2022–2024, as well as interviews with technical personnel and laboratory analysis of water quality. Three main types of structures were identified by location (shore-based, bottom-mounted, and floating), and two groups by mobility (stationary and mobile). Shore-based systems are convenient to maintain but vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations in water level; bottom intakes are effective against surface pollution but prone to silting; floating systems are the most adaptive to changing hydrological conditions. The study revealed regional differences in the application of water intake systems: mobile and floating structures dominate in the southern regions, while stationary shore-based systems of Soviet design prevail in the north. Technical analysis indicated a high level of wear and insufficient automation of the existing infrastructure. At the same time, pilot projects implementing biofiltration, mobile bottom intakes, and mechanical filtration showed positive results, including a reduction in fish stock losses of up to 25 % and improved water quality. A comparison with international practices (Germany, China, Poland) confirms the relevance of introducing bioengineering barriers, phytoplatforms, and filtration systems, which reduce concentrations of biogenic substances by 60–80 %. The economic efficiency of such approaches is evidenced by reduced energy consumption (up to 35 %) in gravity-fed water intake systems. The article proposes recommendations for adapting water intake structures to regional conditions and establishes environmental monitoring criteria for integration into water intake management practices. Thus, the modernization of water intake facilities based on ecotechnological approaches is a key direction for the sustainable development of aquaculture in Ukraine, ensuring a balance between productivity, economic viability, and the conservation of natural resources.