New water supply for Mykolaiv. Exclusive details of large-scale construction have appeared.

The central government began addressing the problem of drinking water for Mykolaiv in the spring of 2024. The Cabinet of Ministers amended last year's resolution, which provides for the construction of a water intake from the Southern Bug River in Nova Odesa, Mykolaiv region, and a main water supply system to provide drinking water for Mykolaiv residents.

The implementation of this plan will cost the state 7.4 billion UAH. However, the new head of the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure, Serhii Sukhomlyn, noted that the actual water consumption in Mykolaiv ranges from 75 to 98 thousand cubic meters per day, and during peak months, it can reach 108 thousand cubic meters. These figures are close to the level of water consumption before World War II.

However, the general plan for Mykolaiv, approved in 2007, indicates that the water supply capacity should be 170 thousand cubic meters of water per day. The technical justification for constructing a new water intake from Nova Odesa indicates that the capacity is 160 thousand cubic meters of water per day (Section I) and 230 thousand cubic meters of water per day (Section II).

According to Sukhomlyn, there is no need to build a water intake with a capacity of 160 thousand cubic meters when the actual consumption is up to 100 thousand cubic meters. In addition, it is necessary to consider the losses of water in Mykolaiv's networks, which amount to 55-60%. Therefore, if a new water intake is built with smaller pipes, it will meet the needs of Mykolaiv residents for drinking water and reduce budget expenditures.

Sukhomlyn also suggests using solar panels to reduce electricity consumption and constructing facilities near the water intake station and pumping stations of the water supply system. Additionally, there is already an agreement to supply equipment for the new water intake from one of the European countries.

For example, foreigners are ready to purchase pumps, filters, and other equipment. Sukhomlyn explained that two options were considered to solve the drinking water problem for Mykolaiv: reconstruction of the Mykolaiv reservoir and the construction of a water supply from Nova Odesa. Due to limited resources and the risk of water supply interruptions, the second option was chosen, which turned out to be much more economical and quicker.

The State Restoration Agency also plans to reconstruct the water treatment facilities in Mykolaiv, which require renewal due to the use of water with a high salt content. However, due to a lack of funds to guarantee full financing of the project, there is a need to purchase modular treatment facilities.

The drinking water situation in Mykolaiv has been resolved for several years, but only with the involvement of the new leadership of the State Restoration Agency and after the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kubel. This process raised doubts in the European Union and led to negotiations with European equipment manufacturers for the water supply. Currently, the water distribution situation in Mykolaiv is improving.

Mykolaiv was without centralized drinking water for more than two years after the pipeline from the Dnipro River was destroyed by the Russian army. During this Time, local residents received water from other sources.