Throughout August, Autostrada specialists gradually filled the system with water while testing its operability. The water has already passed through the entire network, including three pumping stations, and is now reaching the treatment facilities of Mykolaivvodokanal.

More than half a million people have been waiting for drinking water for three years since the destruction of the main water pipeline in April 2022.

Currently, the system is operating on diesel generators as a temporary solution. Once a permanent operator is designated and the pipeline is connected to a stable power supply, the system will switch to a fully automated mode. In this mode, final hydraulic tests will be conducted — the last step before commissioning — after which stable water delivery to Mykolaiv residents will begin.

The automated system will independently determine the required water volume at any given time, switch pumps on and off, and regulate their operation to maintain optimal pressure and flow throughout the pipeline — from WPS-1, where the water intake takes place, to the treatment facilities.

Once launched, Mykolaiv will receive 120,000 m³ of water daily. In addition, integrated irrigation systems will supply up to 50,000 m³ per day to farmers in Nova Odesa and Mykolaiv districts.

Instead of the planned 2.5 years, we completed the water pipeline in just five months, working 24/7 to restore access to drinking water for Mykolaiv’s residents.

The new pipeline meets the highest safety standards required for stable operation under wartime conditions:

• pumping stations are located in monolithic reinforced concrete structures with partial embankments; substations and cable lines are laid underground for protection against shelling and to improve power supply reliability;

• protective shelters are being built for personnel to ensure safety during air raids and emergencies;

• backup diesel generators and modern frequency converters are installed to guarantee uninterrupted pump operation and optimize energy consumption.

Providing Mykolaiv residents with high-quality drinking water that meets sanitary standards is our top priority. To achieve this, in parallel with the pipeline construction, Autostrada has also launched another critical project — the construction of a new water treatment plant. Completion is planned by the end of the year.

The modern treatment system will include multi-stage processes such as removing mechanical impurities, sand and silt, disinfecting from bacteria and microorganisms, and improving taste, odor, and color characteristics. As a result, the water supplied to the distribution network will be clean, safe, and suitable for consumption.

The design of the new water treatment plant was carried out by the Autostrada Design Institute with the involvement of leading technologists as well as international experts and UNICEF consultants. This ensured full compliance with modern global standards of water treatment and sanitary safety.