In the spirit of solidarity, professional exchange and the shared goal of a stable water infrastructure, theOldenburgisch-Ostfriesische Wasserverband (OOWV) has been maintaining a solidarity partnership with the Ukrainian operators Miskvodokanal in Sumy and Chernihivvodokanal in Chernihiv since November 2022. War, destruction and an ongoing state of emergency – these are the conditions Ukrainian water and wastewater utilities have been facing since the start of Russia’s war of aggression in February 2022. Despite damaged infrastructure, air raid alerts and power cuts, the supply of drinking water to the population and the disposal of wastewater must continue to function reliably. International cooperation has therefore become a vital tool for providing local operators with technical and professional support.
Against this backdrop, in March 2026 the OOWV welcomed two specialists each from Sumy and Chernihiv to the drinking water laboratory in Nethen. The visit was part of a multi-day laboratory placement. The aim was to further strengthen the laboratory technicians’ technical skills, build up local expertise and reduce dependence on external laboratories.
Particular emphasis was placed on practical training on an ion chromatograph, which can be used, for example, to analyse pesticides and nitrates. A similar instrument was procured around two years ago as part of the solidarity operator partnership for Miskvodokanal in Sumy, and training was organised for the Ukrainian laboratory technicians to improve on-site drinking water analysis. The all-female laboratory team at Miskvodokanal in Sumy can now carry out complex water analyses on site – something that was not possible before 2024. Previously, samples had to be sent from Sumy to Kyiv or Kharkiv for this type of analysis, which caused delays and limited local capacity.
The targeted development of the all-female laboratory team also helps to promote women in technical roles within the water sector. Through a combination of modern laboratory equipment and practical training, their technical skills are developed in the long term and their role within the utility company is strengthened.
In March 2026, the visitors were accompanied in particular by OOWV laboratory technicians Beate Seeger and Mariella Weyhausen. Mariella Weyhausen reports that the guests were very friendly, interested and eager to learn: “Despite language barriers, we were able to communicate well thanks to the support of an interpreter, not least because many technical terms in Ukrainian are similar to those in German.”
In addition to the training in the laboratory, the programme of visits provided further insights into water supply at the OOWV. Among other things, the programme included visits to the waterworks on the island of Spiekeroog and the Kaskade Museum in Diekmannshausen. The latter explores the history of water supply from the OOWV’s perspective and provided a fitting setting for in-depth discussions.
In addition to the training in the laboratory, the programme of visits provided further insights into water supply at the OOWV. Among other things, the programme included visits to the waterworks on the island of Spiekeroog and the Kaskade Museum in Diekmannshausen. The latter explores the history of water supply from the OOWV’s perspective and provided a fitting setting for in-depth discussions.
Lena Sophie Sept, project engineer for operator partnerships in the Department of International Cooperation and Water Innovation Networks at the OOWV, was responsible for organising and coordinating the visit. She emphasises the mutual benefits of the exchange: “Whilst we are usually able to rely on tried-and-tested technology and established procedures here, the current situation in Ukraine is forcing specialists there to work much more flexibly and to rethink solutions. This change of perspective is also very valuable for us and helps us focus on what really matters.”
Meetings with our Ukrainian partners usually take place online. According to Lena Sophie Sept, this makes the opportunities to meet in person all the more valuable, as it allows us to work on the topics we have previously discussed online.
Furthermore, the operator partnership demonstrates how international cooperation can help to address the shortage of skilled workers in the water sector and specifically promote women in technical roles. It thus also supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, ‘Gender Equality’, and strengthens women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as the water and circular economy sectors, as well as waste management.
Conclusion:
Overall, the current exchange within the framework of the operator partnership highlights how closely technical cooperation and mutual support are linked. Through practical knowledge transfer, joint training sessions and ongoing dialogue, the technical and organisational capacities of Ukrainian water utilities are being specifically strengthened. At the same time, this collaboration helps to raise the profile of women in technical roles within the water sector and further strengthen their professional standing – an important contribution to promoting gender equality and the sustainable development of the sector. This mutual exchange also provides an opportunity to address issues such as inclusive recruitment, mentoring and the promotion of women in technical professions, thereby strengthening organisational resilience and ensuring the sustainable development of the workforce.
Further information about the businesses and the partnership can be found on this page: Oldenburgisch-Ostfriesischer Wasserverband – Chernihivvodokanal – Miskvodokanal – Betreiberplattform