Mayor of Mykolaiv: "In the next month, drinking water will reappear in the city."

Since the spring of 2022, shortly after the start of the full-scale armed invasion of Ukraine by russia, the city of Mykolaiv has been constantly under heavy shelling from the russian army. More than 400 high-rise residential buildings have been damaged. On April 12, 2022, the water intake station near the Dnipro river was destroyed as a result of the fighting. Since then, the city has been left without a centralised water supply. Currently, Mykolaiv residents only have access to technical water from wells. Drinking water is still unavailable, and this remains the most acute problem in the city today. Mind talked to Mykolaiv's mayor Oleksandr Senkevych about this urgent issue, as well as the daily challenges of a frontline city – the almost complete shutdown of industrial facilities and business closures, the preparation of Mykolaiv for the winter season, the state of shelters, and the assistance of foreign donors in the reconstruction of the city's infrastructure.

– In early June, the explosion of the Kakhovka Dam occurred. What were the consequences and damages of its destruction for Mykolaiv?

– Let me first explain how things are set up for us. Mykolaiv is located near the Southern Bug and Inhul rivers, but we get our water from the Dnipro river. When Kherson was occupied, our city was left without the main resource of drinking water – the russians blew up two pipes with a diameter of 1.4 metres and a length of 73 kilometres, through which water was supplied from the Dnipro.

After the de-occupation of Kherson, we repaired them, but due to shelling from the left bank of the Dnipro, our water intake station was destroyed, and the water supply was effectively halted.

After the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, the water level in Mykolaiv rose by 1.05 metres. Although it didn't cause serious problems, flooding some private houses and the coastal area. Now, the water level has subsided and returned to almost previous levels. However, the water level at the water intake station has risen to 7 metres, resulting in flooding of our already devastated water intake facility. Therefore, currently, Mykolaiv is not receiving water from the Dnipro – and this is the city's most significant problem.

– When will you be able to solve this problem?

– The problem will be resolved when the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberate the left bank, allowing us to repair the water intake station and construct a new one, install new equipment, and so on.

– What is the current quality of the water that the residents receive?

– As for the detection of cholera bacteria in the river water, it is not a threat because the city is currently not using water from the Inhul river. The technical water we provide to the residents is treated with coagulants and liquid chlorine, making it safe to use.

At water distribution points, the city's residents can collect the necessary amount of purified water free of charge. We advise boiling the water before consumption, especially now, given the hot weather. Currently, this is the only way to provide people with drinking water and ensure their survival in these challenging conditions.

– How do you see the restoration of the water supply network in the city in the near future, both financially and technically?

– We have several plans in place.

When Kherson was liberated, we already started providing drinking water to the residents – we repaired the pipes and began pumping water. Mykolaiv residents were overjoyed that water had returned, and they shared this news with everyone. The russians found out about it and subsequently destroyed our water intake facility. Therefore, it was decided that when water is restored in the city again, we will not publicise it. I can say that approximately a month before the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, we managed to start the process of supplying drinking water. And no one knew about it.

– How was it possible?

– Thanks to the local authorities, an additional water intake facility was built. We redesigned our system and started pumping water from the Dnipro. However, the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam caused setbacks.

Currently, we have an alternative plan. I believe that in the next month, drinking water will reappear in Mykolaiv. Our top priority is to get potable water running in the system.

Afterwards, we will focus on repairing the pipelines because the salty water used as technical water is damaging our pipes. Due to numerous leaks, we sometimes jokingly call Mykolaiv a "little Venice".

In summary, we have two main tasks ahead: getting drinking water back into the system and establishing normal water supply processes.

– Indeed, at the end of 2022, Borys Dudenko, the head of Mykolaivvodokanal water utility, reported that the city's pipelines were experiencing corrosion due to the impact of salty water. He mentioned that approximately 250 km of pipes needed to be replaced, with losses amounting to billions of hryvnias. How much of the pipeline has been replaced so far, and how much money has been spent from the city budget?

– We regularly replace pipes, and this process takes a long time. If you were to visit Mykolaiv now, you would see many excavated areas as we are working on the sanitation of sewer collectors and water supply pipes. Currently, we are collaborating with foreign specialists on these matters.

– What is the amount of financial assistance allocated by partners?

– From the very first day of collaboration with international partners, I declared that I do not want to work with money. This means we do not receive any funding from our donors. Instead, we communicate our needs, such as the requirement for pipes and pumps, and they provide them for us.

Furthermore, when it comes to Denmark, they try to supply us with products that are manufactured in their country. This way, they invest in their own economy. This arrangement suits us well because we are interested not in money but in results – in this case, it's the pipes. Moreover, it minimises corruption and other risks and allows our partners to develop more trusting relationships with us.

– How many kilometres of pipes do you plan to replace by the end of 2023?

– The process of planning is currently underway. For example, we are planning to replace the large main pipelines under a programme for which the Ukrainian government allocates funds. I believe that we can utilise approximately 600 million hryvnias this year for pipe replacement.

– From time to time, there is information in the media that the city's residents are dissatisfied with the tariffs for technical water. Is there a possible compromise in this situation?

– The thing is, the technical water we provide actually costs even more than drinking water.

To bring it to the technical level, we have to use more chemicals, coagulants, and liquid chlorine. People have two options: if they feel that this water, for some reason, doesn't suit them, they can either not use it or use it sparingly. But not paying for it is not possible.

– Additionally, there have been reports in the media that Mykolaivvodokanal communicates quite aggressively with users regarding water debts: they may even block a bank account/card for as little as 200 UAH in unpaid bills. Please comment on this.

– Mykolaivvodokanal informs residents about the consequences of non-payment. However, the company does not block cards or collect any funds. That is done by the State Enforcement Service. So, if a person has accumulated a substantial debt, the municipal enterprise submits information to the court, and it is the court that decides on certain actions. The State Enforcement Service then takes over.

The cost of water is not very high – 34.044 UAH/cubic metre, and the amount of water used by residents is also not significant. So, the amounts for water in the bills are not unaffordable. Nevertheless, they are essential for the existence of Mykolaivvodokanal, especially considering the conditions under which the company operates.

– That is understandable, but resorting to such drastic measures as blocking bank cards during difficult times for people…

– That's how the system works. For instance, if a person doesn't pay alimony, fines for traffic violations, or other administrative offences, their bank accounts can also be blocked. In general, Mykolaivvodokanal does not take citizens to court for debts of 200-300 UAH because legal proceedings would be much more costly. We try to reach agreements with everyone. However, if the debt reaches 3,000-4,000 UAH and people do not respond, the company is forced to take action.

– And how many persistent non-payers are there in the city, and what is the largest amount of debt? 

– In Mykolaiv, there are about 20% of non-payers for water. It is a lot.

– From water, it's logical to move on to the issue of heating. What are your predictions for the upcoming winter?

– Right after the end of the previous heating season, preparations for the next one began. By the beginning of July, our heating engineers had already prepared 34 boiler rooms, 69 central and individual heating substations for the next winter and conducted hydraulic tests on over 97 km of heating networks.

Furthermore, with the help of partners from Denmark and through a state programme, 13 small mobile boilers using alternative fuels (biomass, wood chips, etc.) were purchased, which can be used in case of disruptions of certain micro-districts. The total budget for the project is over $18 million.

– And how is the process of infrastructure restoration going, and how do international donors/investors contribute to it?

– The restoration process can be divided into several stages. When it comes to the damages, the critical infrastructure is given the highest priority. The networks of enterprises like Mykolaivoblenergo and Mykolaivgaz are repaired almost immediately after the attacks. Mykolaivvodokanal takes care of emergency repairs.

– Can you provide more details about this project?

– Today, Mykolaiv and Kharkiv are two pilot cities under the care of the United Nations, specifically the Economic Commission for Europe of the organisation. The war will come to an end, and in order not to waste time, we have already started working on the development of a new master plan. Our city is collaborating with the Italian architectural company OneWorks, which is the general contractor, and their work is funded by donors.

Denmark has given us the opportunity to cooperate with the company COWI, which specialises in underground utilities (water, heating, sewage, and solid waste management). Other cities can benefit from our experience working on this project in the future.

– You have repeatedly mentioned that during the full-scale invasion of russia, Mykolaiv lost about 90% of its major businesses, and the city has almost no manufacturing left as they either closed down or relocated. Is this figure still accurate as of now?

– Yes, that's correct. It can be said that all major enterprises closed down or relocated to other regions. Nearly 90% of medium-sized businesses also closed. What remains are primarily services, service-oriented businesses, and retail – in other words, small and micro-enterprises are still operating. Additionally, there are networked supermarkets, but they continued to operate for most of the war period.

– So there is no production in the city at all?

– Essentially, no, except for the production of food products.

But bear in mind that, in principle, we try not to disclose such information, because we'd be pleased if, for example, a shoe manufacturing plant is operating, and it could become a target for missiles. As a reminder, Mykolaiv is being bombarded across its entire territory.

– How then is the revenue part of the city budget filled?

– It is funded through taxes on the income of individuals, particularly military personnel. Before the war, Mykolaiv was one of the most militarised cities in Ukraine. We have a significant number of brigade-level military units registered here and they currently pay taxes on their personal income.

When there was talk of abolishing this tax, we opposed it, as it would leave Mykolaiv without enough funds to sustain even basic necessities, like paying for water or running bus routes. On our part, we also support the military. Recently, during a council session from the city budget, 400 million UAH was allocated to assist the armed forces, with 200 million UAH for technical support, including drones and other equipment.

– How much money did the military contribute to the city budget?

– The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has forbidden disclosing this information.

– Then do you have information on how much the city budget lost due to the shutdown of businesses in the city?

– There is none.

However, in collaboration with the Kyiv School of Economics and the “russia will pay” project, we utilised our geoinformation system (GIS) – which, by the way, we had before the war and is one of the most advanced in Ukraine – to create an additional layer and marked all the current damages in Mykolaiv. We also added drone and satellite images from Maxar, a U.S. satellite company, and calculated the amount using their formula. The result was nearly 800 million euros in damages caused by the bombings.

However, this amount specifically relates to the restoration of assets based on their book value. If we talk about real figures, they would be much higher.

– If there are hardly any businesses left in the city, where can the residents find employment?

– Mykolaiv residents can seek employment in municipal enterprises, as there is a significant shortage of workers there. They need virtually all types of workers, from drivers to street cleaners. So, there are job opportunities available. However, the fact that the jobs are formal and that we submit all the information to the territorial recruitment centres – in simpler terms, the military enlistment offices – significantly affects the recruitment process. Not all men are willing to provide their information there.

– In the May interview with Mind, the Danish Ambassador, Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, emphasised that the Danish Support Fund for Ukraine allocated 160 million euros for the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine in 2023. A significant part of this funding is directed towards the restoration and economic development of Mykolaiv, with which Denmark has a special partnership. The money was intended to be used for energy and social infrastructure projects, water supply systems, and more. How much money has Denmark allocated to the city so far and for which projects?

– Some of the projects relate to the restoration and repair of schools and hospitals, while others involve water purification systems, pipes, and equipment.

Another area of focus is increasing public transportation services, be it buses or any other municipal transport. This is a significant problem for Mykolaiv at present, as half of the city's buses were taken for military purposes, and many of those remaining were destroyed by bombings.

Additionally, some of the funds from Denmark are offered as credits to local businesses. The terms being discussed include a 7% interest rate in euros, of which 3.5% is the actual credit interest, and the rest is insurance. Negotiations are underway to have the Danish government cover the 3.5% insurance, as 7% euro credits are still considered relatively expensive in the current circumstances.

However, there are agricultural enterprises already working with Denmark and considering the possibility of taking loans with favourable credit terms.

– And what is the essence of cooperation on energy projects?

– The projects involve heating, replacing pipes and boilers, as well as optimising the heat and power supply system in Mykolaiv. We have two enterprises – Mykolaiv CHP PJSC and the municipal Mykolaivoblteploenergo, which has nearly 100 boiler rooms. Currently, we are making decisions about connecting certain regions to the CHP, which will be more beneficial for the city residents, and separating specific dead-end branches of the CHP to construct new boiler rooms that will make centralised heating more economically advantageous for particular population groups.

– Are there any joint projects with Denmark that have already been completed?

– There are hardly any short-term projects.

– How does such cooperation practically occur, for example, how is the procurement of specific goods and services organised?

– There is a special committee that includes Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, Danish Minister for International Development Dan Jørgensen, representatives from the Mykolaiv Oblast State Administration, and the city's mayor. We discuss our current needs and select what Denmark can contribute, and then we agree on the timelines.

Overall, Denmark views Mykolaiv as a potential partner for future reconstruction and investment. During my visit to Copenhagen in June, I had meetings at the office of the Confederation of Danish Industry with Danish businesses and potential investors. We agreed to establish a Support Office for the Danish business in Mykolaiv. By the way, they are currently assisting us in setting up a project office that will deal with reconstruction matters. Additionally, Denmark is opening its consulate in Mykolaiv.

– Recently, there was a major scandal in Kyiv regarding the condition of the city's bomb shelters – a significant portion of them turned out to be unusable, and cases of abuse at the district level were discovered. What is the situation with bomb shelters in Mykolaiv?

– We do not have embezzlement issues concerning the construction of shelters. However, problems with bomb shelters do exist, and this is not a unique issue for Kyiv or any other city.

Now, we are preparing estimates and calculations for the amount of money needed to arrange toilets, additional exits, and other facilities. Although this should have been the responsibility of the Housing Cooperative and the Municipal Housing and Utilities Management.

Regarding traditional bomb shelters, there are approximately 300 of them in Mykolaiv, and they are in good condition. In total, there are almost 800 shelters in the city.

During the full-scale war, the city allocated 9 million hryvnias for shelter arrangements. However, the need is undoubtedly much greater. That's why we are trying to involve our partners. For instance, this year, the Norwegian Refugee Council assisted in setting up 35 shelters in multi-story buildings – they took care of the electricity, communications, and so on.

– At the beginning of the year, you announced that special secret bomb shelters with constant electricity and internet access would be provided for the MPs in Mykolaiv. What is this project, and what is its cost?

– These are not secret, but regular bomb shelters that existed before. We simply equipped them with internet by purchasing Wi-Fi routers, which cost a negligible amount from the budget. I referred to them as 'secret' because the gathering place for the MPs during a state of war is not disclosed. We allocated two such bomb shelters in each of the four districts of the city.

– By the way, is there a plan to restore the oblast administration`s building?

– Various options are being considered. It could become a memorial, a recreational area, a hotel… Whether a new oblast administration`s building will be constructed will be decided by the residents of Mykolaiv after the war. Currently, it stands as a monument to the acts of terrorism by the russian federation.