11.05.2026 | News
A new treatment line at the water treatment plant in Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv Region, has been taken into operation. Financed by the European Union and managed by Nefco, the project addresses urgent challenges in the municipal water supply system and ensures more reliable access to water for the local population.
- A new water treatment line at one of Pervomaisk’s water treatment plants has been constructed and now taken into operation.
- The project improves drinking water quality for around 35,000 residents and internally displaced persons, while reducing electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening the resilience of the city’s water infrastructure.
- Reconstruction of the main water supply pipeline, which will further improve the reliability of the Pervomaisk’s water supply system, is currently under way with financial support from Denmark.
Pervomaisk is home to around 57,700 people, including approximately 11,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Increased population pressure following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has placed additional strain on the city’s outdated water infrastructure. The previous treatment facility, built in 1967, has long suffered from high electricity consumption, excessive water losses and frequent interruptions in water supply, making it difficult to ensure a stable supply of drinking water.
“The new water treatment line at one of our water treatment plants is not only a modern facility that meets today’s standards. This reconstruction is about people’s safety, quality of life, the health of our children and the resilience of our community in times of war. I sincerely thank our partners, the European Union and Nefco, for their financial support and project management, and for their trust in the Pervomaisk community. This project shows how international cooperation and shared responsibility can deliver real results for the people of Ukraine,” said Oleh Demchenko, Mayor of Pervomaisk.
With grant financing of approx. EUR 3 million from the European Union, the project included the construction of a new treatment line and the rehabilitation of raw water intake facilities, first-lift pumping stations and raw water conveyance infrastructure. The works started in December 2024 and were completed in April 2026. The new treatment line at the water facility has a capacity of 7,000 m³ per day and uses membrane ultrafiltration technology, ensuring stable water quality regardless of variations in source water conditions.
“The European Union remains committed to supporting Ukrainian municipalities in strengthening essential public infrastructure services and improving resilience. The new water treatment line in Pervomaisk is an important contribution to ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply for the residents,” comments Jocelin Cornet, Head of the Reconstruction, Energy, Infrastructure, and Environment Section of the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
The new treatment line will improve efficiency, reduce water losses, support reliable, energy-efficient and clean water production. Electricity consumption is expected to fall by around 1,230 MWh annually and greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 475 tonnes annually. The project is expected to reduce operating costs and improve financial performance. In addition, the investment will provide direct benefits to around 35,000 residents, including approximately 6,600 internally displaced persons, by improving service stability and enhancing drinking water quality.
“Reliable access to clean drinking water is one of the most essential municipal services, particularly for communities operating under wartime conditions with increased pressure on infrastructure. The success of the project in Pervomaisk demonstrates how targeted investments in critical infrastructure can deliver both immediate and long-term benefits for local residents,” comments Henrik Toremark, Senior Programme Manager at Nefco.
As part of the broader modernisation of the city’s water supply system, reconstruction of the main water supply pipeline is currently ongoing, with grant financing of approximately EUR 3.6 million from Denmark, through Impact Fund Denmark, and a 10% local contribution. Scheduled for completion in late 2026, the investment will improve supply reliability and ensure the overall effective operation of the new water treatment plant.
For further information, please contact:
Henrik Toremark, Senior Programme Manager, Nefco
henrik.toremark@nefco.int, +358 10 6180 677
Serghi Zbrokh, Technical Adviser, Nefco
serghi.zbrokh@nefco.int,+380 50 588 0773
Photo: Guests attending the inauguration of the new water treatment line in Pervomaisk – Pervomaisk City Council