In April 2022, russian forces blew up the Dnipro–Mykolaiv water pipeline in Kherson Oblast, which had supplied Mykolaiv with fresh water. For over three years, the city has been reliant on brackish water from the estuary, which is unfit for consumption.
Nearly 500,000 residents of Mykolaiv lost access to clean water.
Thousands of hectares of agricultural land are no longer irrigated.
1,200 kilometers of Mykolaiv’s water supply network have been damaged by the brackish water from the estuary.
.avif)
Project implementation is gaining momentum — trench excavation, pipeline base preparation, and delivery of essential materials are underway.Works are carried out around the clock, with strict adherence to all technological requirements.
24/7 work continues on the installation of a twin-line pipeline and the simultaneous construction of three pumping stations.Within the intake channel on the Southern Bug River, four branches are being installed to transport water to Pumping Station No. 1 near Nova Odesa.
Core construction of the three pumping stations is nearing completion: electrical and pumping equipment has been installed.In the canal bed, a concrete slab foundation was constructed to ensure secure anchoring and stability of the pipelines, followed by backfilling of the intake channel in accordance with project specifications.The next phase — commissioning and system tuning.
As part of commissioning works, specialists test the system under medium operating pressure, verifying sealing, flushing pipelines, and releasing air.Pumping proceeds step by step.At the first stage, water from the Southern Bug flows through gravity pipelines into the intake chambers of Station 1. Once chambers are filled, water is pumped to the second lift station.After pressure reaches target levels, the next segment — from Station 2 to Station 3 — begins to fill.
The shortening of timelines became possible thanks to the high competence of the Autostrada team and the availability of the company’s own production facilities, which ensure prompt execution of works. This was further facilitated by the DESIGN&BUILD approach, where designers and builders work in parallel, achieving perfect synchronization of all processes.
project execution timeline for Autostrada
the typical timeframe for projects of this kind
Without subcontractors
Round-the-clock work
Over 2,000 Autostrada specialists are engaged in the project around the clock. Each of them is a vital link in the complex construction mechanism, where the team’s coordinated efforts enable simultaneous work on multiple sections, swift decision-making, and rapid response to any challenges. It is the professionalism and dedication of our experts that have turned an ambitious plan into a tangible reality.
At all stages of the project’s implementation, Autostrada operates its own certified laboratory complexes, ensuring systematic quality control of construction materials and technological processes. This approach guarantees the project’s consistent compliance with national building codes, technical regulations, and European quality standards.
The availability of in-house production facilities ensures maximum operational efficiency and complete process autonomy.
This is achieved by performing all work exclusively in-house, without the involvement of subcontractors.
The water pipeline route runs outside populated areas. In 20 locations where the route crosses rivers, roads, railways, oil pipelines, and gas pipelines, the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) method is used, enabling installation without damaging the surface or disrupting existing infrastructure. Notably, a unique HDD crossing was executed beneath the bed of the Inhul River. The crossing is 462 meters long, with a depth of 14 meters – equivalent to a four-story building. This method helps preserve the ecosystem and ensures precision in challenging geological conditions.
Fiberglass Pipeline
The water intake system is equipped with a mechanical pre-filtration complex and an ultrasonic protection system that prevents aquatic bioresources from entering the pipeline.
The pipeline network includes:
The water intake project is a unique and complex engineering case.
Since the Southern Bug is a navigable river, the works were carried out without entering the main channel.
Divers formed the 6-meter-deep intake basin: they reinforced the riverbank with rubble stone, laid concrete slabs, and placed sand-cement bags.
The intake channel was cleared and deepened, and four gravity pipes with a diameter of 1,000 mm and a length of over 700 m were installed.
These pipes ensure the intake, filtration, and transportation of water through three pumping stations to the Mykolaiv water treatment facilities.
At BPS No. 1, five pumping units have been installed:
BPS No. 2 and BPS No. 3 are each equipped with four pumping units:
Each station is equipped with a 35 kV switchgear unit and a 35/0.4 kV transformer substation.
Alternative power sources have been installed: diesel generators with capacities of 1,400 kVA and 1,650 kVA.
A total of 39.8 km of cable has been laid underground along the entire pipeline route.
All equipment is housed in monolithic reinforced concrete structures with partial embankment, ensuring reliable protection of the water pipeline’s power system and guaranteeing its uninterrupted operation.
Three pumping stations have been constructed along the water pipeline route. They are built as monolithic reinforced concrete structures with partial earth embankments, providing an enhanced level of protection against potential shelling. Each station’s premises are equipped with solid concrete shelters to ensure the safe accommodation of personnel.
In parallel with the construction of the water pipeline, water treatment facilities are being built to ensure comprehensive water preparation before distribution to consumers.
These facilities will remove mechanical impurities, sand, and silt; disinfect the water from bacteria, viruses, and harmful microorganisms; reduce the content of harmful chemicals and dissolved gases; and improve its taste, odor, and color characteristics.
As a result, the Mykolaiv water supply system will deliver clean, safe, and potable water to consumers.