Water crisis looms for Southern Ukraine: Odesa and Kherson at high risk
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Southern Ukrainian cities, including Odesa and Kherson, may face severe water supply challenges in the next 10–15 years due to climate change and inadequate wastewater treatment. This was stated by Serhiy Sukhomlyn, head of the Recovery Agency, in an interview with Telegraf.

Currently, the primary water source for Odesa is the Dniester River. Water for the city and surrounding communities is drawn from a water intake station in the town of Bilyaivka, about 40 km from Odesa.

Kherson, by contrast, relies on underground artesian wells for its water supply.

"It is crucial to plan now for the future needs of Odesa and Kherson," Sukhomlyn said. "If no action is taken, Kherson will experience significant water shortages within 15 years. We must act now." He also warned that Odesa could face complete water scarcity.

To address the issue, a major infrastructure project is being proposed: the construction of a highway linking Odesa to the Danube ports via a route that bypasses Moldova, alongside the installation of a water pipeline.

"We understand that Odesa must be connected directly to the Danube ports, without passing through Moldova. Therefore, water supply infrastructure should be integrated into this new route. This is not just reconstruction — it’s an opportunity to build something better than what existed before. It’s a very large-scale project. The World Bank is currently carrying out feasibility assessments with expert assistance. Once the data is ready, we’ll explore financing options in detail. But the problem needs a solution," Sukhomlyn explained.

Between 2023 and 2024, Ukraine completed three major water mains:

  • Zaporizhzhia – Tomakivka – Marhanets (77 km)
  • Marhanets – Nikopol – Pokrov (41 km)
  • Inhulets – Southern Reservoir of Kryvyi Rih (27 km)

These projects became operational after the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant by Russia, which resulted in the loss of the Kakhovka Reservoir on the Dnipro River.

In 2025, work began on a new water pipeline from Nova Odesa to Mykolaiv, which also used to rely on water from the Dnipro. Plans are also underway to construct a pipeline from the Kakhovka area to refill the critically depleted Makortiv Reservoir on the Saksahan River in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.