The MBA responded to Infoksvodokanal's plan to raise water rates in Odessa

The "Infoksvodokanal" branch of INFOX LLC announced its intention to change the rates for centralized water supply and wastewater services for Odessa residents for 2027. The Odessa City Council has already responded to this announcement and outlined the conditions under which it would agree to a tariff review.

According to the water utility’s press office, it is proposing to raise the water supply rate for residents from 17.92 hryvnia to 55.98 hryvnia per cubic meter, including VAT. This represents a 212.5% increase.

The cost of wastewater disposal is planned to increase from 17.24 hryvnia to 45.83 hryvnia per cubic meter—a 165.8% increase.

For companies in the centralized water supply and wastewater disposal sector, the increase will be 45.8% for water supply and 41.2% for wastewater disposal. For other business customers, rates may rise by 52.5% and 58.9%, respectively.

The company explains that the current rates for residential customers are still based on 2021 prices and no longer cover costs: as of early 2026, they covered only 49% of the necessary costs for water supply and 60% for wastewater disposal.

Among the main reasons for the rise in costs, the company cites higher electricity prices, an increase in the minimum wage, rising prices for fuel and lubricants, increased costs for repair work that had been postponed due to a lack of funds in previous years, and the elimination of the land tax exemption.

Serhiy Lysak, head of the Odesa Regional State Administration, stated that one of the conditions for revising the water supply and wastewater disposal rates to the level set by the NEURC was an independent appraisal of the entire property complex of “Infoksvodokanal.”

According to him, the rent has not been substantially revised in over 20 years—it has only changed due to indexation. At the same time, a significant number of networks were transferred to the tenant, some of which were leased for a nominal fee of 1 hryvnia per year.

According to Lysak, there are also questions regarding the composition and integrity of the assets.

“To determine the actual market value of the assets and a fair rent amount for the Odesa budget, an independent expert appraisal must be conducted,” he noted, adding that the company has agreed to the appraisal and that funds have already been allocated in the city budget.

Another fundamental condition, according to the head of the Odesa Regional State Administration, is the protection of residents. The rate change must not place an additional financial burden on residents. For eligible groups identified by city programs, compensation must be provided at the city’s expense.

Back in May 2026, “Infoksvodokanal” also announced its intention to change the rates for centralized water supply and centralized wastewater disposal.

Ірина Глухова