A collapsed sewerage system and an acutewater crisis are causing misery to the residents ofKharkov, Ukraine's 2ndlargest city. Up to 200,000cubic metres of untreatedsewage has been pouringdaily into the 3 rivers running through the city. Add tothis the long lines for water,and the picture of a break-down in basic infrastructureis complete in this formerstate of the Soviet republic.
To tide over the unprecedented situation, many residents in this city of 1.5 million responded to a recentappeal by local authorities toleave town for countrydachas until the water supplywas resumed. "When the system was built, we simply didnot foresee this. Our equipment is old and inadequate,'explains Viktor Gaidarzh.head of the city's civildefense administration.