Two utility companies in Mykolaiv region exposed for abuse of monopoly

Two utility companies in Mykolaiv region abused their monopoly position. After the AMCU's intervention, one of the companies eliminated the violations, while the other has to correct the deficiencies within two months.

This was reported by the press service of the Southern MTO of the AMCU.

The Southern Interregional Territorial Department of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine has revealed violations of competition law by two municipal enterprises in Mykolaiv region - Dobrobut Utility Company from Kryve Ozero village and Veselynivskyi Vodokanal Utility Company. Both companies are suspected of abusing their monopoly position in their respective areas, which could have restricted consumer rights.

In 2023-2024, Dobrobut issued technical conditions for connection to centralized water supply networks with a validity period of only one year. This is contrary to the requirements of the current legislation, which establishes a three-year validity period for such documents in case of non-connection of the facility.

In addition, instead of the 10 business days provided for, the company set a 15-day deadline for issuing technical conditions. Such actions may contain signs of abuse of dominance, which violates consumer rights.

On June 19, 2025, the administrative board of the AMCU's Southern MTV issued recommendations to the company: to eliminate the violation within two months, to comply with the law and to notify consumers of the possibility of amending the technical conditions already issued.

Another violation was detected in the activities of Veselynivskyi Vodokanal, which provided household waste management services. In 2024, the company entered into contracts with residents that did not comply with the samples approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The company narrowed the scope of its responsibilities, reduced its liability, and restricted consumer rights. This was also seen as a sign of abuse of dominance. On February 4, 2025, the AMCU ordered Veselynivskyi Vodokanal to eliminate these violations, and the company complied with the recommendations.

The Antimonopoly Committee has also recently recorded violations by the Domanivka Village Council and utility companies in Bashtanka and Novyi Buh. In particular, these included incorrectly set tariffs and incomplete information, for which the violators were issued recommendations and fined.

Анна Бальчінос