The final stage of the new water pipeline project in the Mykolaiv region has begun. For the first time since 2022, city residents will be able to access fresh water from their taps. This was announced by Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Development of Communities and Territories, during a working visit to the southern regions together with Yuliia Svyrydenko, Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Test pumping of water continued throughout the month. By the end of August, over 5,000 cubic metres of water had reached the city of Mykolaiv via the networks.

Water has already begun to be supplied to the water utility’s systems and reservoirs.

The next step is to gradually replace the salty water in the taps in Mykolaiv with fresh water. This process will take around two weeks.

‘The Mykolaiv water pipeline is a testament to our ability to swiftly and efficiently transform scientific and technical concepts into tangible results. Today, we are entering the final launch stage. This means that, in two weeks’ time, more than half a million residents of Mykolaiv will have access to high-quality drinking water,’ emphasised Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.

He also noted that the Mykolaiv water pipeline became a large-scale state infrastructure project. From an expert examination in autumn 2024 to the start of work in February 2025 and the first flow of water into the city in August, the project was completed in less than a year.

‘In autumn 2024, the Agency for Restoration conducted a thorough examination of the project’s technical and economic feasibility. The Agency’s role as a centre of expertise was crucial. Technical shortcomings were corrected and the irrigation needs of agriculture were taken into account. Modern, energy-efficient solutions were added, as well as backup power lines and protective shelters for personnel.

As a result, the actual cost of the project has been reduced from UAH 8.7 billion to UAH 6.3 billion. The UAH 2.4 billion saved will be used to build other water pipelines in the Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Poltava, and Vinnytsia regions,’ said Oleksii Kuleba.

The system is designed with safety in mind: cables are buried underground, pumping stations are partially submerged, and shelters are being built for personnel. There are also backup lines, generators, and protection systems against attacks. In addition to providing the population with 120,000 cubic metres of water per day, a further 50,000 cubic metres is allocated for irrigating agricultural land.