Regulation of land use and assessment of the quality status of water resources through the organization of geodetic monitoring

This study examines the impact of the full-scale war on the qualitative state of water resources and land use regulation of the Pechenizke reservoir – one of the main sources of drinking water supply for the Kharkiv region. The reservoir has undergone significant transformations in its physical characteristics as well as its chemical and biological indicators. Based on remote sensing data, analysis of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery (NDWI indices), and results from geodetic monitoring, a 3.2% reduction in the water surface area was recorded over the period from 2021 to 2023. Simultaneously, an increase in concentrations of nitrates, phosphates, heavy metals, and microbiological contamination (notably Escherichia coli) was observed. The primary drivers of these adverse effects include the destruction of wastewater treatment facilities and sewage systems in frontline areas, increased pressure on existing infrastructure due to population displacement, and the direct consequences of military actions – such as the infiltration of explosives and petroleum products into water bodies. The paper presents a comparative analysis of the reservoir's condition before and during martial law, along with graphical visualizations of water quality changes and spatial dynamics using heat maps and satellite index analysis (NDWI/NDMI). The findings underscore the urgent need for the implementation of a comprehensive monitoring system, emergency response mechanisms, and long-term measures aimed at the revitalization of regional water resources and the regulation of land use.