Implementation of federal environmental projects and digitalisation of the sector: the Board of Rosvodresursy at the National Centre RUSSIA discussed the main results of work and future objectivesу

---

On August 8, the expanded meeting of the Board of the Federal Water Resources Agency took place at the National Centre RUSSIA. During the plenary session, participants discussed the Agency’s key areas of activity and prospects for the sector’s development.

The Board brought together representatives of federal and regional executive authorities, the central office, territorial bodies and subordinate organisations of Rosvodresursy, heads of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and other honoured guests.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev, who took part in the meeting, noted the well-coordinated work of all Rosvodresursy divisions in close cooperation with the regions. This, he stressed, had made it possible to achieve significant results in the implementation of federal environmental projects. Speaking about the results of the "Ecology" national project, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that the work carried out by Rosvodresursy had improved living conditions for more than 20 million people. For a number of activities, the work was synchronised with the improvement of adjacent territories, with such examples found in the Altai Republic, Rostov region, and Nizhny Novgorod region. This practice will be continued.

"This is a contribution to the environmental wellbeing of the territories, as well as an additional stimulus for the development of domestic tourism. The new national project "Environmental Wellbeing" provides for about 24 billion roubles to be allocated for this area," said Dmitry Patrushev. 

Head of Rosvodresursy Dmitry Kirillov began his report with information on how the water supply for the population and the economy is being ensured this year, focusing on the key river basins in the European part of the country: the Volga, Don, and Kuban basins. For these regions, the year has been one of low water levels, which required the Agency to take prompt measures to save and preserve water resources. Thanks to the measures taken in time, conditions were created to ensure water supply to these territories during the low-water period. However, systematic work must continue in the following areas.

"This includes, of course, water conservation, the introduction of water-saving technologies, and the reduction of losses. It also means carrying out adaptation measures: adapting our infrastructure to the conditions of reduced flow in rivers and reservoirs. This refers to the arrangement of water intakes. This work is being carried out across the country and primarily concerns housing and utilities. It must certainly continue so that we are ready for any challenges that may arise," said Dmitry Kirillov.

Speaking about the objectives facing the Agency under the new federal project "Water of Russia" as part of the national project "Environmental Wellbeing," the head of Rosvodresursy noted that already this year, 81 activities are being implemented in 43 constituent entities of the Russian Federation under the project, with around 2.4 billion roubles allocated for their implementation. 

"We must take a comprehensive approach to creating conditions that will improve the quality of life of our citizens. And quality of life cannot depend solely on a cleared water body. It is clear that if a water body is cleaned but no landscaping is carried out, people will not fully appreciate the result. Therefore, it is necessary to synchronise our activities with other national projects. This has already become the main criterion for selecting these activities from this year onwards. According to these criteria, for example, we are starting work on clearing the pond complex at the Tsarskoye Selo Museum-Reserve, and beginning work in Sergiyev Posad, in our historical and spiritual centre – the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. However, I would like to note that these criteria also include an assessment of the effectiveness of previously completed activities," said the head of the Agency.

He added that another of the most important tasks within the competence of Rosvodresursy is the protection of the population from the negative impact of water. This year, around 6.4 billion roubles have been allocated for the implementation of the relevant federal project.

"This year, capital construction works are underway on 21 facilities in 10 regions of the country. Five of them are to be completed this year, three of which have already been completed ahead of schedule. These are facilities originally planned for completion in 2026. I hope that by the end of the year we will reach a total of eight facilities. (…) As for the repair of hydraulic structures – this year we must complete 17 of the 55 where work is underway. Five of them have been completed to date. In addition, a set of activities is to be implemented in 61 regions to clear riverbeds. Altogether, the implementation of these measures by the end of the year should make it possible to provide flood protection for up to 30,000 of our citizens," specified Dmitry Kirillov, also noting the effective cooperation on this task with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia and Rostechnadzor. 

The fulfilment of key tasks is impossible without observing financial discipline. In this regard, the Agency’s specialists, following the recommendations of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, have prepared a number of proposals to ensure more efficient use of the available financial resources. A methodology has been developed for assessing the economic efficiency of water management activities, along with proposals for amending Russian Government Resolution No. 87 concerning sections of project documentation. To ensure security in the course of public procurement, additional criteria have been developed for design organisations and construction industry participants engaged in the design and construction of hydraulic structures. The relevant draft resolutions are currently undergoing interdepartmental approval. Work is also underway on a regulatory legal act concerning changes to the coefficients for charges for the use of water bodies.

In his speech, the head of Rosvodresursy gave a detailed account of modern tools and technologies that help address the Agency’s key tasks, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and sustainable development of Russia’s water management sector. Special attention is paid to digital transformation. Digitalisation has significantly simplified and sped up the process of providing government services. Additionally, Rosvodresursy specialists are currently developing an automated reservoir management system that will allow for faster responses to changes in water management conditions, including flood events, and will greatly simplify decision-making regarding reservoir operation modes.

For state monitoring of reservoir shores and bottom sediments, as well as for assessing waterbody rehabilitation works within the federal project "Water of Russia," the Agency employs surface drones (unmanned boats). In conducting pre- and post-flood inspections in hard-to-reach areas, Rosvodresursy specialists are assisted by unmanned aerial systems (UAS). 

"The use of unmanned aerial systems combined with artificial intelligence technologies, according to our calculations, reduces time by 2.6 times, cuts costs by 13%, and halves the data processing time," said the head of Rosvodresursy.

In the new regions, the Agency continues to address strategic tasks related to ensuring reliable water supply for the population and industry. This involves the swift integration of these regions into the water management system of the Russian Federation.

"All four regions are water-deficient, both in terms of meeting socio-economic development needs and due to the fragility of their natural water systems, which require conservation measures. In this regard, we are conducting extensive systematic work in close coordination with the Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, and Rosnedra," added Dmitry Kirillov.

Regarding international activities, he highlighted cross-border cooperation, which facilitates constructive dialogue within the framework of water partnership. This helps defend our country’s interests, including water sovereignty, on the international stage.

The meeting concluded with a ceremony awarding Agency employees with departmental honours.