Ihnatiev warns of prolonged water supply disruptions in Kyiv
The expert links the risk to prolonged power cuts affecting pumps. On November 5, Kyivvodokanal reported fresh disruptions, followed by restored supply on the left bank.
Stanislav Ihnatiev has warned that prolonged water supply disruptions in Kyiv could recur because of power outages. Strana published his assessment on November 5, 2026. The same day, Kyivvodokanal reported fresh disruptions across all districts of the capital; by 16:26, the utility announced that supply had been restored on the left bank, while pressure remained low on the right bank.
According to the outlet’s account, Ihnatiev described a scenario in which a pumping unit loses power for 8–10 hours, after which restarting the system and building pressure would require about three more hours of stable electricity supply. These timings are the expert’s assessment, not an outage or restoration schedule announced by Kyivvodokanal.
The utility confirms the underlying technical issue: restoring electricity does not mean water returns immediately. Once power is restored to water supply facilities, equipment must be restarted, networks refilled and standard pressure restored. In its November 5 statement, Kyivvodokanal did not give a single timeframe for these processes.
The utility reported the previous major disruption on November 3 at 15:24: attacks and damage to energy infrastructure had cut power to its main water supply facilities, temporarily leaving the city without water supply. On November 4 at 13:50, Kyivvodokanal announced full restoration of water supply, normal pumping station operations and stabilised pressure.
However, on November 5 at 13:42, the utility again announced disruptions in all districts following emergency power cuts at its facilities. In its 16:26 update, it said specialists were continuing to stabilise pressure and fully restore supply across all districts. The sewerage system was operating normally at that point. The November 4 announcement of full restoration therefore refers to the earlier disruption, not the situation the following day.
For residents needing drinking water during disruptions, Kyivvodokanal points to the city’s network of public water pumps and recommends locating the nearest ones on the Kyivvodfond municipal enterprise’s website. The utility’s emergency service can be reached at 15-81 and (044) 200-73-73.
Primary sources
Documents and statements this story is based on.