Reconstruction Agency plans to build water supply system for Mykolaiv by next fall

A new water supply system for Mykolaiv, which supplies water from the Southern Bug, is planned to be commissioned by next fall.

This was announced by the head of the Recovery Agency, Serhiy Sukhomlin, in an interview with LIGA.net.

According to Sukhomlin, the need to build the water pipeline is critical. Work has already begun and the city should be supplied with water next fall.

One of the reasons for the construction delay was the lack of a project. The previously prepared project contained significant errors that could have affected the quality of implementation. Thanks to UNICEF experts, these shortcomings were corrected.

The water supply system to the city is being built by the Reconstruction Agency, but the city itself has to build a water treatment plant to ensure water quality. This became another obstacle, as the previous facility was supposed to be completed in five years, and the water is needed next year.

There was also a financial problem: the project requires 132 million euros in loans, which should be included in the tariff. This could make the cost of water unaffordable for residents.

The initial cost of water supply was estimated at UAH 8.7 billion. The project is currently being revised. They also changed the water intake site, raising it 700 meters higher, added two pumping stations, and provided for the installation of three solar power plants. This will reduce the cost of water for consumers by 15%.

"We have to not only build a water supply system but also create conditions for saving and efficient use of water. This is our main task," summarized Sukhomlyn.

In addition, it is necessary to change the volume of the city's water needs (it turned out that the calculation was based on pre-war forecasts) and reduce water losses through the networks, which are currently up to 60%.

The problem with drinking water in Mykolaiv has been discussed for more than 2 years, so one of the main areas of work of the Infrastructure Restoration Agency for the next year is the construction of a water supply system. Negotiations are currently underway with international organizations to raise funding.

Denmark will also help restore the water supply. Danish experts from Engineers Without Borders have reviewed the issues of improving Mykolaiv's water supply, including the introduction of the latest water treatment technologies and the possibility of drilling wells as an alternative source. The modernization of Mykolaiv's water supply system also involved 20 global brands working in the water sector.

The European Investment Bank recently provided funds to the city to restore the water supply. The €7.8 million financing will be used to modernize water supply and wastewater treatment systems, which is critical after infrastructure damage caused by Russian shelling.

To finance the water pipeline project, which will provide Mykolaiv with drinking water, the government plans to attract donor funds. The construction was estimated at more than eight billion hryvnias.

Анна Бальчінос