Will There Be Water in Kyiv During Blackouts: What’s Happening with the Water Utility Ahead of a Harsh Winter

In November 2026, Kyiv faced a problem that people don’t immediately think about during power outages: along with electricity, the water supply to homes can also be cut off. And it’s not just that the pumps stop working without power.

Even after power is restored, the water supply does not resume immediately, and a prolonged power outage can create additional problems for the entire system.

Ensuring the system’s uninterrupted operation using only generators is no easy task. They aren’t always capable of meeting the needs of high-power equipment, and electricity from backup sources is significantly more expensive. Moreover, some of the work involved in connecting the generators will likely not be completed until the spring of 2027.

Against the backdrop of new water supply disruptions on November 5, the question arises: to what extent is Ukraine’s capital prepared for prolonged blackouts, why hasn’t the backup power supply solved the problem yet, and most importantly – why the problem has once again arisen suddenly and whether Kyiv will be able to avoid a water supply shutdown this winter – read more in this report from 24 Channel.

Prolonged power outages could leave Kyiv without water

Russian attacks on energy infrastructure pose a risk to Kyiv of simultaneously losing both electricity and water supplies. During large-scale power outages in the capital, reported interruptions in the water supply, and in some areas, electricity was cut off for more than a day.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the situation in Kyiv as "especially difficult": both residents and businesses are experiencing power and water outages lasting many hours.

Due to repeated shelling and air raid alerts, repair crews are not always able to work continuously. Therefore, the head of state instructed the government and law enforcement agencies to prepare measures against companies that are falling behind on infrastructure restoration schedules.

Energy expert Stanislav Ignatyev explained on the “RanokLIVE” program that outages lasting 2–3 hours should not cause critical problems. However, if the pumps remain off for 8–10 hours, the water supply may be cut off. Even after power is restored, it will take approximately three more hours of stable power to resume the water supply.

Why Sewer Problems Can Disrupt Water Supply

The stability of the water supply depends not only on the pumps that deliver water to homes but also on the functioning of the sewer system. If the sewer networks are unable to carry away wastewater, this can also affect the water supply to consumers.

Sviatoslav Pavliuk, executive director of the “Energy-Efficient Cities of Ukraine” Association, explained in a comment to 24 Channel that he does not have enough information to assess the capital’s readiness for prolonged power outages.

The expert says that one of the reasons for the disruptions could be the water supply’s dependence on the operation of sewage pumps – if water is supplied while the sewage system is malfunctioning, wastewater could end up on the streets.

“That’s precisely the point: before shutting off the water, you have to shut off the sewer system,” 
– Pavliuk explained.

Why generators cannot fully replace the power supply for the water utility

One of the main questions regarding the capital’s preparations for winter is whether “Kyivvodokanal” will be able to operate during prolonged power outages thanks to backup power.

Petro Panteleev, acting first deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration, acknowledged that generators are unable to fully meet the needs of the water supply system due to its significant power requirements. At the same time, the city is working on backup power for centralized networks. The first phase involves installing power plants with a total capacity of 16 MW, specifically for critical wastewater treatment facilities.

Sviatoslav Pavliuk explained that pumps at water supply and wastewater treatment facilities often have megawatt-class power ratings. Therefore, large generators are required to operate them, and even with such equipment, it is not always possible to maintain pressure at the level provided by the centralized network.

In other words, it is technically possible to ensure that generators have sufficient capacity to fully power water utility systems. And this can be done. But it is a long and expensive process, 
the expert emphasized.

An additional problem is the cost of electricity. According to Pavlyuk’s estimate, electricity from generators costs the water utility significantly more than grid electricity.

Consequently, for the generators to operate continuously, additional funds are needed for fuel and maintenance, which are not accounted for in the current rates.

Why is the preparation of backup power for “Kyivvodokanal” being delayed?

The issue of providing the water utility with generators was raised even before the start of the heating season. In late October 2025, the Kyiv City Council allocated 450 million hryvnias for the purchase of alternative power sources. At that time, Mayor Vitali Klitschko emphasized the need to equip the water supply and wastewater systems with backup power.

However, as noted by Oleg Popenko, head of the Union of Utility Consumers, the funds could not be utilized in a timely manner, and the launch of the equipment was postponed.

According to Prozorro, in the second half of September 2026, “Kyivvodokanal” signed 13 contracts to install backup power systems for 13 pumping stations, with a total value of 615.64 million hryvnias. The contracts were signed with a single contractor without an open competitive bidding process.

Under the terms of the contracts, the work and equipment installation will continue until the end of March–April 2027. This means the new systems will not be fully operational by the end of the current heating season.

It is necessary to develop a project, purchase and deliver the equipment, install it, and put it into operation. According to Pavliuk, at the end of August, the government reported that 24 billion hryvnias had already been spent on energy resilience plans, while their total cost was estimated at approximately 300 billion hryvnias.

In other words, this isn’t about assigning blame or determining innocence; it’s simply very complicated because water supply systems consist of massive structures, massive pipes, massive pumps, valves, and so on. Everything is large-scale and has a lot of inertia. It’s not something you can just go out and buy at a store, 
the expert noted.

There may also not be enough generators of the required capacity on the market, which complicates the rapid equipping of the water utility.

The government will provide Kyiv with 10 more generators for the water utility

Amid problems with backup power, the government has decided provide the capital with additional generators. Kyiv is set to receive 10 units for the water utility, and another 21 generators are planned to be transferred to 12 communities in other regions.

The equipment is being purchased with funds from the reserve fund as part of a program to provide communities with mobile power generation. The government emphasizes the need for backup power for both water supply networks and wastewater systems.

Water utility workers will receive additional pay for infrastructure restoration.

The program will run from November until the end of the heating season. Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi explained who will receive the additional funds.

“Starting today, energy workers, utility workers, water supply and wastewater treatment workers, housing and utilities sector employees, and railroad workers – specifically those directly involved in restoration work – will receive 30,000 hryvnias in addition to their regular salaries,” 
he noted.

What is the water situation in Kyiv on November 5, and can disruptions be avoided?

On November 5, 2026, “Kyivvodokanal” reported water supply disruptions in all districts of the capital due to emergency power outages at the company’s facilities.

Water utility specialists, together with power company employees, worked to restore service. Around 3:00 p.m., Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that pressure in the system was gradually returning to normal, and water was being restored to the districts where disruptions had occurred.

The emergency arose as a result of a hostile attack on Ukraine’s power grid and damage to power equipment that supplies electricity to Kyiv, among other places, 
the mayor explained.

During the outages, residents of the capital can collect drinking water at public drinking fountains. The locations of the nearest fountains can be found on the online map of Kyiv’s public drinking fountains.

Sviatoslav Pavliuk believes that it is technically possible to provide the water utility with a backup power supply. This requires advance planning, equipment with sufficient capacity, and funds for its installation and operation.