The destruction of the Kakhovka HPP by Russian shelling damaged Mykolaiv's water supply infrastructure. To address this, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development provided financial support for urgent restoration efforts, with Egis joining as a consultant.
Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mykolaiv relied solely on the Dnipro River for its water supply. However, during the occupation of the Kherson region, essential infrastructure like the water intake pumping station and the water supply system were destroyed in the conflict. This left the city with an urgent need to find alternative water sources to sustain its residents and businesses. To address the immediate water supply crisis, the city resorted to using salt water from the Bug estuary, located along its shoreline, with the help of mobile desalination units. While this provided emergency relief, it's not a sustainable solution as it damages pipelines and cannot meet long-term needs.
The situation worsened with the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam in Russian-occupied territory on June 6, 2023. This caused devastating flooding in lower areas and settlements, resulting in casualties and widespread evacuations. Mykolaiv was significantly affected as well, with the flooding of the Dnipro water intake damaging the pumping station, pumps, power lines, and automation equipment. The deteriorating state of the city's water infrastructure poses serious health implications for residents. Moreover, the presence of saltwater has led to the nearly complete destruction of active sludge in the sewage treatment plants, exacerbating environmental issues in the region.
As part of the Mykolaiv Emergency Water Project - Feasibility Study update, Egis experts serve as consultants, collaborating closely with the EBRD (the project's client and donor) and "Mykolaivvodokanal" to revise the feasibility study, considering the damage inflicted by Russian troops.
Egis's role includes:
- Providing the Bank with necessary information from a comprehensive technical, financial, economic and environmental analysis.
- Confirming and justifying an investment program acceptable for financing by the Bank and international donors.
- Supplying initial data for the financial model preparation.
- Describing the project implementation, including the procurement program.
- Advising on coordinating support from various international financial institutions (IFIs) and the donor community.
Environmental Impacts of War and Sustainable Reconstruction
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has had serious negative consequences for the environment. The hostilities are deepening the climate crisis, causing significant emissions of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. Therefore, the reconstruction process should also aim to create a sustainable and adaptive city that can effectively withstand potential challenges in the future.
The reconstruction and modernization of the city's water supply systems aim to enhance living conditions, bolster safety and quality of life, and ensure sanitary and epidemiological well-being for the population. The anticipated outcomes of the project include:
- Enhancing the quality of water delivered to water treatment systems in supply stations.
- Improving the energy efficiency of pumping stations.
- Decreasing the frequency of emergency maintenance visits, as the refurbishment and replacement of deteriorating water supply components will mitigate the occurrence of accidents.
- Enhancing the quality and reliability of drinking water supply.
- Mitigating the risk of flooding from man-made incidents, such as accidents or losses from water supply networks.
- Ameliorating the environmental conditions and minimizing environmental risks in the affected area through reconstruction efforts.
The development of this project marks a significant milestone towards expediting the restoration of the water supply in Mykolaiv. Collaboration between local government bodies, "Mykolaivvodokanal", the EBRD, and the local community help in shaping the future of Mykolaiv and ensuring a stable water supply.
