The State Service for Food Service and Consumer Protection explained why it does not monitor water quality in Mykolaiv
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- Julia LukyanenkoReporter
The State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection has explained why it is not carrying out state supervision of water quality in Mykolaiv. Illustrative photo: cooler-water.com.uaThe Main Directorate of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection does not carry out state supervision of water quality in Mykolaiv’s water supply system. The basis for this is a decision by the Executive Committee, adopted in 2022, which permits deviations from sanitary standards during water supply. In other words, according to the Executive Committee’s decision, the water from the taps is not fit for drinking.
This is stated in the response from the Main Directorate of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in the Mykolaiv region to an information request from NikVesti.
Why is there no oversight?
The State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection reported that there has been no centralised drinking water supply in Mykolaiv since 12 April 2022. It should be recalled that the water main was damaged during a Russian attack.
They also noted that they are monitoring compliance with sanitary standards. However, on 7 May 2022, the Mykolaiv Executive Committee adopted a decision permitting the resumption of the centralised water supply despite deviations from sanitary standards. Consequently, there is no state supervision of water quality.
«Since, from the start of the resumption of the centralised water supply service, the water in the city’s water mains has not met the requirements of DSanPiN 2.2.4-171-10 and is not intended for human consumption (the water is not potable), it is not subject to state supervision (control),» the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection stated.
They also noted that «Mykolaivvodokanal» is responsible for the quality and safety of the water supplied to residents.
««Mykolaivvodokanal» shall, from the moment the centralised water supply service is restored and until the implementation of the action plan to bring water quality up to state standards, ensure constant monitoring of deviations in water quality indicators and take timely measures to disinfect and purify the water», — states the Executive Committee’s decision of 7 May 2022.
The water utility is responsible for the quality of the water supplied to residents. Illustrative photo: NikVestiWater testing
Although no state-level inspections are carried out, specialists from the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection test the water in educational establishments and in Mykolaiv’s centralised water supply network. As noted in the response to the enquiry, this is done to gather information on the state of the water supply to the population and to prevent the outbreak of epidemics.
Between May and September 2026, specialists analysed 82 samples from the municipal network: 74 from educational establishments and 8 in collaboration with the water utility. The following parameters were tested: microbiological (total plate count, total coliforms, E. coli, enterococci) and sanitary-chemical parameters (nitrates, total hardness, pH, chlorides, sulphates, dry residue, ammonium, permanganate oxidisability, nitrites).
- Four samples (4.9 per cent) failed to meet the standards for microbiological parameters: total plate count and enterococci.
- 24 samples (29.3 per cent) did not meet the standards for permanganate oxidisability.
The commission, which included specialists from the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, recommended that the water utility promptly rectify any faults, replace the most worn-out sections of the water main and adjust the dose of active chlorine daily, taking into account the water’s chlorine absorption.
Response from the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection to a query from NikVesti
Response from the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection to a request from NikVesti
Response from the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection to a request from NikVestiThe water supply has been restored, but water quality has not
As a reminder, the new water supply system for Mykolaiv was commissioned on 7 October 2025 — it was connected to the water utility’s networks. In November, the head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, Vitalii Kim, stated that drinking water could be available from Mykolaiv residents» taps within half a month to a month. According to him, this was the time required to complete all work on the treatment plants and receive official laboratory reports.
At the end of May 2026, during a briefing, the director of the water utility, Hennadii Iziumov, explained that the water did not meet one specific standard — oxidisability.
On 18 June, Oleksii Kuleba, Ukraine’s Minister for Community and Territorial Development, reported on the completion of one of the stages in restoring the water supply to Mykolaiv, namely the preliminary water treatment plant with a capacity of 120,000 cubic metres per day. According to the minister, Mykolaiv is now receiving high-quality drinking water.
«We have created a modern, sustainable system that will serve the people and meet European standards, and we can say: Mykolaiv once again has high-quality drinking water,» said Oleksii Kuleba.
On 24 June, Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych stated that, despite improvements in water quality following the launch of the new water treatment facilities and water main, it is not advisable to drink tap water. According to him, the water leaving the treatment works already meets basic sanitary standards; however, due to the city’s ageing distribution networks, its quality may deteriorate by the time it reaches homes. Among the parameters that fall short of the norm, the mayor cited oxidisability.
Water analysis by the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection revealed non-compliance with several indicators. Illustrative photo: MykolaivvodokanalOn 2 October, Heorhii Reshetilov, acting head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, announced plans to carry out chlorination and hyperchlorination of the water supply system for approximately three months.
On 5 October, at a staff meeting at Mykolaiv City Council, the mayor reiterated that the water quality deteriorates on its way to consumers.
«As it leaves the water utility’s treatment works, the water’s quality improves and meets drinking water standards. However, at monitoring points located in various districts, the water does not always reach end consumers with the same quality as when it leaves the water utility.» To be more precise, in 46 per cent of tests, its quality deteriorates. Certain bacteriological indicators are detected there,» said Oleksandr Sienkevych.
On 2 November, «Mykolaivvodokanal» announced the start of additional chlorination of the water networks. For the time being, it is forbidden to drink tap water or use it for food preparation.
In a comment to «Suspilne. Mykolaiv», the company’s chief engineer, Vitalii Tkachenko, assured that the chlorine dosage would not affect residents.
«Additional chlorination involves flushing our municipal water networks, where these microorganisms are present, in order to destroy them and supply people with drinking water,» said Vitalii Tkachenko.
Dmytro Makarov, Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Mykolaiv region, told NikVesti which water quality indicators did not meet the standards and what the risks of chlorination are.
