In Vitebsk region by the end of the year will eliminate more than 200 unused water intake wells of agricultural enterprises

In the Vitebsk region for 2026, it is planned to tampon 207 unused water intake wells of agricultural organizations at the expense of the local budget — the work has already been completed at more than 80 sites, the Vitebsk Regional Committee of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection reported.

The committee informed:

- During the first nine months of this year, work on the tamponing of 85 water wells has already been completed, and by the end of 2026 it is planned to liquidate another 122 such wells.

Experts noted that the well liquidation process is a complex, responsible event that must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of laws and regulations.

- Liquidation of a borehole is a set of technical, design and environmental measures aimed at decommissioning the well, reliable isolation of aquifers and recultivation of the territory to exclude pollution of the subsoil and the environment, the committee explained. – Elimination is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Subsoil Code and in accordance with the project developed according to the norms and rules of rational use and protection of the subsoil. This issue is controlled by the territorial bodies of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

In the Vitebsk region, work on the liquidation of unused water wells, which are potential sources of groundwater pollution, is carried out annually. Liquidation is subject to wells that have fulfilled their purpose and are unsuitable for further operation for geological, technical, sanitary, economic reasons. Nature protection specialists checked water wells in two districts of Brest region – there are violations