In Mykolaiv, sewage has been flowing into the estuary for several weeks: the water utility explained why

For several weeks now, sewage from the Namiv neighborhood in Mykolaiv has been flowing into the Bug Estuary.

According to MykVisti, the State Environmental Inspectorate has confirmed the pollution of the water body, while the municipal utility “Mykolaivvodokanal” explained that the cause was yet another collapse of a sewer main and a shortage of staff.

According to residents of the neighborhood, sewage has been flowing near building No. 16 on Lazurna Street for several weeks now. Due to the pungent odor, people cannot open their windows, and the sewage flows past residential buildings, a store, a café, and a public transportation stop before eventually reaching the Bug Estuary.

Pavlo Zotkin, a local resident and former member of the Mykolaiv City Council, also drew attention to the problem. He noted that the sewage is flowing into a body of water near the beach area, where city residents—including children—relax and swim.

Following complaints from citizens, specialists from the State Environmental Inspection visited the site and confirmed the discharge of untreated wastewater. The inspectors took water samples, which showed that the maximum permissible concentrations of pollutants—specifically nitrogen compounds and phosphates—had been exceeded.

The Environmental Inspection reported that it will now contact the municipal utility“Mykolaivvodokanal” to obtain information on the volume of discharged wastewater and identify the responsible official. Afterward, the environmental damage will be assessed.

"Mykolaivvodokanal" explained that another collapse had occurred in the sewer main at this location. Special equipment was installed to pump out the wastewater; however, due to a shortage of staff and the inability of emergency crews to travel during the nighttime curfew, pumping was not carried out, which led to the leak.

The company assured that as of June 30, the issue with emergency crews’ nighttime mobility had been resolved. From now on, wastewater will be pumped around the clock to prevent it from entering the Bug Estuary.

Андрій Колісніченко