WATER RESOURCES OF SHEPETIVKA DISTRICT, KHMELNYTSKYJ REGION: USE AND CONSERVATION

The article examines the state, utilization, and conservation challenges of water resources in the Shepetivka District of the Khmelnytskyi Region. The area is characterized by a developed hydrographic network, which includes small and medium-sized rivers, groundwater, ponds, and reservoirs that play a crucial role in water supply, agriculture, and industry. The conducted analysis revealed a number of environmental and management issues, including surface water pollution, insufficient wastewater treatment, declining groundwater levels, and inefficient use of water resources. Climate change further exacerbates the situation, contributing to river shallowing and a decrease in aquatic biodiversity. A set of measures is proposed to improve the situation, including infrastructure modernization, water quality monitoring, environmental education, and community involvement in water resource management.