"We'll be replacing the networks for 20 years": in Mykolaiv, they again did not give a date for the return of drinking water

In Mykolaiv they still cannot name the exact date when water from the city water supply will be allowed for drinking. Its compliance with standards will be determined only by the results of laboratory analyses.

This was discussed 30 June 2026 during a session of the Mykolaiv City Council.

The head of the supervisory board of the municipal enterprise “Mykolaivvodokanal”, Hanna Montavon, explained that the water at the outlet from the treatment facilities already almost meets the necessary parameters, but its quality deteriorates while passing through the old water pipeline networks.

“The quality of the water depends on what water comes out of the treatment facilities and how it reaches the consumer after passing through the distribution networks. The water leaving the treatment facilities is now practically of the required quality, with deviations in only a few parameters. The problem is with the networks. Therefore I would currently recommend continuing to use water from distribution points.”

According to Hanna Montavon, since the beginning of 2026 the city has laid 7 kilometers of new pipes. Water quality should gradually improve along with the restoration of the water supply system.

Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych noted that the complete replacement of the water supply networks will take approximately 20 years. He emphasized that water will be declared drinkable not after officials’ statements, but only after laboratory checks.

“Whether the water is drinkable or not cannot be decided by political or any other statements. Only analyses taken at the station, in the clean-water reservoir, at pumping stations and at various points in the city matter. Then, based on the results of chemical tests, one can say what quality the water is — whether it is drinkable or not.”

According to the mayor, the preliminary treatment station has already improved the water entering the city system. At the same time, the treatment facilities of “Mykolaivvodokanal” are outdated and require full modernization.

To renew the facilities, the city is cooperating with the European Investment Bank. Grant co-financing from the government of Denmark in the amount of 43 million euros is also envisaged.

The project is currently awaiting approval from the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine. Until stable analysis results are obtained, residents of Mykolaiv are advised to continue collecting water for drinking and cooking at designated distribution points.

Previously we wrote:

• Mold, toilets and “don’t breathe”: the city council showed the decline of “Mykolaivvodokanal”
• Indicators have returned to 2021 levels, but water is still not safe to drink: Sienkevych on the water
• Mykolaiv has potable water again: construction of the new water supply system completed
• In Korabelnyi they are replacing water networks with Danish funds: one project is already 87% complete
• Mykolaiv water is still not potable despite the launch of treatment facilities: it does not meet the standard for oxidizability