Tailings storage facilities (TSFs) are among the high-hazard facilities that pose threat to water resources of Ukraine. These are natural or artificial earthen reservoirs used for storing liquid multi-tonne waste of various industries.

This publication presents a brief overview of the research results of current state of the Donbas tailings storage facilities and their possible emergency impact on water resources. The research covers three enterprises located in the most vulnerable conflict-affected area in eastern Ukraine. The selection of the hazardous facilities was carried out with the participation of the specialists and representatives of national and local authorities.

The assessment provides a set of recommendations for systemic improvement of the level of environmental and technogenic safety, preventing risks of emergencies and reducing the threats of water pollution in the region.

The research was conducted in 2019 within the project “Assistance in the Donbas Environmental Monitoring System Expansion” implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection of Ukraine.