In Kyiv, during prolonged winter power cuts, water in high-rise blocks may only be available during the hours when the electricity is on. If power cuts last for 20 hours a day, the water supply will be limited to approximately four hours. At the same time, the city’s sewerage system should continue to operate even without electricity. Serhiy Horkutsenko, Deputy Director-General of Kyivvodokanal, spoke about this in an interview with «Ekonomichna Pravda» published on 12 October. He also warned of the risk of indoor plumbing systems freezing during cold spells and urged residents to prepare their homes for winter.
- During prolonged winter power cuts, water in Kyiv may only be supplied during the hours when electricity is available.
- If there is no electricity for 20 hours a day, the water supply may be restricted to four hours.
- Kyivvodokanal has prepared the sewerage system to operate during power cuts.
- When temperatures drop to around −10°C, there is an increased risk of indoor plumbing systems freezing.
Kyivvodokanal has explained what will happen with the water supply during prolonged blackouts
Deputy Director-General of Kyivvodokanal Serhiy Gorkutsenko spoke about the possible consequences of prolonged power cuts in winter. According to him, if, due to Russian attacks Electricity will only be available for four hours a day; the company will supply water mainly during this period.
During a power cut, the water utility will switch off the pumps but will retain water in the water supply network. Once the power is restored, the equipment will be switched back on and water will flow to residential buildings.
Residents on the upper floors may face additional difficulties, as in-building pressure-boosting pumps are used to supply water to higher floors. They will not work without a power supply.
Gorkutsenko emphasised that the company would make every effort to ensure a stable water supply; however, in the event of prolonged power cuts, it is impossible to guarantee an uninterrupted water supply to every flat.
Kyiv’s sewerage system will continue to operate even without electricity
Kyivvodokanal has reported that ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the drainage system has become one of the main priorities in preparations for winter.
According to Gorkutsenko, the company has carried out a significant amount of work to ensure that the sewerage systems can continue to operate even in the absence of an external power supply. The official explained that The city produces approximately 680,000–700,000 cubic metres of wastewater every day. In the event of a large-scale power cut, water consumption will fall, but the need to dispose of wastewater will remain.
That is precisely why the company has focused its resources on ensuring the operational readiness of sewage pumping stations and other parts of the drainage system. At the same time, Kyivvodokanal acknowledges that direct Russian strikes on critical infrastructure could pose additional risks to its operations.
When temperatures drop to −10°C, there is a risk of pipes freezing in homes
Gorkutsenko drew particular attention to the condition of the building’s internal engineering systems. According to him, if there is a power cut for 20 hours a day and the air temperature drops to around −10°C, the risk of pipes freezing inside residential buildings will increase significantly. At the same time, the main water supply networks outside buildings are less vulnerable to frost than the internal systems.
Heating systems are particularly at risk of freezing. Their pipework often runs close to external walls, where the temperature can drop more rapidly.
Responsibility for the condition of the internal building networks lies with property managers, homeowners’ associations and property owners.
Gorkutsenko urged people to insulate their basements in good time and to check shut-off valves, water supply inlets and other vulnerable areas. Residents planning to leave Kyiv for the winter are advised to ensure that relatives or trusted individuals have access to their flats in the event of an emergency.
What is the water situation in Kyiv today?
Despite warnings of possible winter power cuts, the capital’s water supply had been restored by the morning of 12 October.
According to the city authorities, the water supply systems on the left and right banks of Kyiv are operating as normal, and the pressure in the main networks is within the standard limits.
In multi-storey buildings, in the event of a power cut, water may not reach the upper floors because the booster pumps have stopped working.
