About 90% of networks are unsuitable: expert stated the critical condition of Ukraine's water utilities.

Water utilities in Ukraine are in critical condition from a technical and financial perspective. This was stated by Oleh Popenko, an expert in the field of housing and communal services and the founder of the Public Organization "Union of Utility Consumers", in an interview with Yuriy Romanenko.

According to him, about 85-90% of the water supply networks are unsuitable for use, and water losses amount to 50%.

“We have 85-90% of water utility networks technically unsuitable. This issue affects all cities, including Kyiv,” said the expert.

Popenko emphasized that the situation is exacerbated by the growing debts of water supply enterprises for electricity, which have already exceeded 9 billion hryvnias.

“The cost of electricity has increased, but tariffs have remained unchanged, leading to increased debts. As a result, water utilities are trapped,” he explained.

The expert cited examples of the consequences of worn-out infrastructure, noting that this year the central collector in Poltava failed, leaving two-thirds of the city without water. A similar situation occurred in Zhytomyr last year.

“This is not to mention small water utilities, where water shutdowns have become a daily occurrence,” he added.

According to Popenko, the main problem is the lack of a systematic approach to infrastructure modernization.

“Local governments, which are the owners of water utilities, do not pay attention to the problems of these enterprises. In many water utilities, equipment has been in use for 30-50 years. This is not just inefficient, but also extremely inefficient,” noted the expert.

Popenko also pointed out that water losses in networks amount to 40-50%, meaning that half of the water consumers pay for is simply lost through leaks. In small towns, the situation is even worse, as even minor pipe repair funds are frequently unavailable.

These problems create serious risks for stable water supply to settlements, especially in winter.

Recall that the National Bank of Ukraine predicts that gas and heating tariffs will rise in 2025.