“In this sport, we are real specialists,” say Olejka, Patix and Baterion with pride when talking about creating blockages and polluting the environment. These characters are the heroes of an animated film produced by Białystok Water and Wastewater Utility Ltd. (Białystok Waterworks ) as part of the project “Safe sewerage for a healthy environment: cross-border solutions of Lutsk and Białystok” (acronym: SafeSewerage). A drop of grease, a cotton bud and a used battery remind viewers that the sewer system is not a rubbish bin.
An important part of the project is educating residents, especially the youngest ones, about the risks to the environment and to the water and sewage system caused by throwing various inappropriate items into the sewer network.
It turns out that wet cleaning wipes are among the biggest problems. They damage equipment and increase the operating costs of the sewer system. Food leftovers – especially fats and grease – also create blockages. As a result, wastewater may back up and flood houses and basements.
The animation shows children what may happen when Olejka, Patix and Baterion end up in the sewer system. The film featuring the three energetic and slightly sinister characters can be watched here:
PL version
UA version
A new generation protecting the system
The main component of the project implemented by Białystok Waterworks together with the municipal company Lutskvodokanal in Lutsk is the modernisation and upgrading of the sewerage network.
In Białystok, the project includes the renovation of an important part of the city’s sewer system.
We are modernising a very important sanitary collector serving around 72,000 residents of Białystok, which is nearly one third of the city’s population, as well as the village of Klepacze in the Choroszcz municipality. Modern equipment will be installed there, including next-generation wastewater flow meters with a remote data transmission system.
The modernisation of the over 500-metre section of the collector, located near one of Białystok’s larger residential districts, is being carried out using an innovative trenchless technology.
Inside the existing pipeline we install a specialised watertight liner that effectively protects the infrastructure. This solution also benefits the environment, as it prevents pollutants from entering groundwater, reduces odour nuisance for residents and, above all, protects the Biała River from contamination
Similar activities are being carried out in Lutsk. In addition to renovating nearly two kilometres of a sewer collector in a densely populated district near the Styr River, the municipal company Lutskvodokanal has purchased a tele-inspection laboratory for monitoring sanitary sewer channels.
This equipment will enable continuous monitoring of the network, rapid detection of threats and assessment of the technical condition of the infrastructure.
Water utilities in Ukraine, including the one in Lutsk, face an additional challenge as they operate under the conditions of the war with Russia. This situation places additional responsibilities on us. Not only do we have to protect our equipment, but we must also take care of our people. Thanks to our employees and their work, the city has a continuous water supply, the wastewater system operates around the clock, and thanks to that Lutsk can continue to function.
Knowledge in Practice
The project is not only about modernising infrastructure, but also about investing in people. In the Podlaskie Voivodeship, training sessions and specialised conferences are organised with the participation of practitioners and experts in the fields of water management, sanitation and environmental protection.
In September this year, Białystok Waterworks, together with the Białystok University of Technology, organised a Scientific and Technological Conference entitled “Safe Sewerage for a Healthy Environment – Conference of Scientists from Poland and Ukraine.”
The event provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and promote innovative and sustainable solutions contributing to the protection of public health and the natural environment.
One of the training sessions, dedicated to “Monitoring sewer networks using TV inspection,” took place in October 2025 in Białystok. Representatives of water utilities from Białystok and Lutsk took part in the training.
Participants not only gained theoretical knowledge about the use of cameras to assess the technical condition of infrastructure, but also had the opportunity to test it in practice. By operating the cameras, they analysed real recordings from the sewer network and learned how to identify typical damage and irregularities.
The project partners are planning further training sessions, study visits and educational activities addressed to residents of both cities.
More about SafeSewerage project you can read HERE.
