Sukhomlyn: new water pipeline is 100% ready to pump water to Mykolaiv

The water pipeline to restore centralised water supply in Mykolaiv is fully ready to pump water. Fresh water can be supplied to the apartments of Mykolaiv residents in two weeks.

This was reported on the air of «Hromadske Radio» by the head of the Recovery Agency, Serhii Sukhomlyn.

According to him, on 28 August, the first test of the system took place — about 5,000 cubic metres of water were supplied to the city. The test was successful, and the water supply system is now 100% operational. At the same time, Mykolaiv Vodokanal has a number of preparatory works to be done before the new permanent water supply is restored.

«It needs to pump this water into the network, open fire hydrants throughout the city and flush the system. For several years, Mykolaiv has been without a proper water supply, with the networks in a poor condition due to water with a high salt content that corroded them. Therefore, it takes time, about two weeks, to clean the system. After that, water can be supplied to the apartments of Mykolaiv residents,» explained Sukhomlyn.

Serhii Sukhomlyn also noted that the water quality has already been tested in the laboratory. The first results after the test were satisfactory, and the latest tests conducted two or three days ago showed even better results.

The head of the Reconstruction Agency also spoke about the safety of the new water supply system. The water pipeline construction has become a unique facility for Ukraine: all key structures — pumping stations, transformer substations and other elements — are now located underground and protected by concrete structures from drone strikes. Shelters have been set up for employees.

«This facility is unique for Ukraine. No similar water pipelines have been built in the country's modern history. The entire system is equipped with fibre optics to control frequency converters that ensure a stable water supply. In addition, there are solar power plants that will save about 18% of electricity per year and powerful diesel generators for backup power,» he stressed.

According to Sukhomlyn, thanks to the government's decision, the water utility now has a permit for a permanent connection to the electricity supply.

History of the water supply system in Mykolaiv region

It has been more than three years since Russian troops damaged the water supply system that supplied Mykolaiv with water. Since then, the city of almost half a million people has been without a centralised supply of quality water.

All this time, Mykolaiv residents have been receiving water from a backup source, which raises many questions about the quality of such water and the salt content in its composition. The salt water damaged 1,200 kilometres of the city's water supply network. Borys Dudenko, director of «Mykolaivvodokanal», said that it is impossible to replace the entire length of the network that was damaged by the salt water supply.

For a long time, representatives of state and local authorities have been looking for ways to restore drinking water supply in Mykolaiv. The final solution was found in 2024: a new water supply line would be laid from Nova Odesa, and the money was allocated from the state budget.

The regional recovery service even selected contractors who will work according to the principle of «design-build». They are three companies, each of which is responsible for one of the three work areas: «Ukrtransmist», «Rostdorstroi» and «Avtostrada». However, later both the client and the construction contractor were changed. The client for the new water pipeline was the Service for Infrastructure Restoration and Development in Dnipropetrovsk region, and the contractor was the group of companies «Avtostrada».

Recently, Oleksii Kuleba, Vice Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine and Minister of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, stated that the construction of a new water supply system for Mykolaiv is already at the final stage. Pumping stations are 86% complete. He said that at the end of August, the city would receive water.

Later, Vitalii Kim confirmed these words and said that the new water supply system, which should provide Mykolaiv with drinking water, could be launched on 26-27 August. At the same time, the first stage of the new treatment plant will be ready no earlier than October.