Ukraine restricted water intake for some businesses due to low water levels
Starting September 18, Ukraine has again introduced temporary restrictions on water intake from surface water bodies for some enterprises and other special water users. The decision was made due to prolonged low water levels on a number of Ukrainian rivers.
The relevant restrictions were introduced by the State Agency of Water Resources by order No. 140 dated September 18, 2026. They will be in effect until September 30. After that, the rights of water users should be fully restored provided the hydrological situation normalizes.
The restrictions do not mean a total ban on water use for all businesses. For enterprises from a specific list, the established limits for water intake from surface water bodies are reduced. In addition, primary water users will be able, in agreement with the State Water Agency, to limit the rights of secondary water users.
Water intake for drinking needs is not affected by the restrictions. Local governments, supervisory authorities, and enterprises affected by the decision must be separately notified of the imposed limits.
Some rivers have less than 20% of normal water volume remaining
Ukraine is experiencing a prolonged period of hydrological drought. The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center recorded the first signs of critically reduced water levels back in June. According to the State Water Agency, on many rivers water flows dropped to 20% of the monthly norm and below.
Among the reasons cited are a combination of high temperatures, precipitation deficit, and the consequences of the war, including damage to water and energy infrastructure, water pipelines, and treatment facilities.
In August, low water levels were recorded on the Pripyat and its tributaries Stokhod, Goryn, Sluch, and Ubort, on the rivers of the middle Dnieper basin – Trubizh, Ros, Sula, and Udai, as well as on the Western Bug, Southern Bug, Dniester and Stryi, Siret and Latoritsa.
Particularly difficult situation on the Dniester
The State Water Agency describes the situation in the Dniester basin as the most serious. Low water levels have continued there since June, and the inflow to the Dniester reservoir since the end of April has remained below discharge volumes for a long time.
From September 9 to 11, the average daily inflow dropped to 26 cubic meters per second – this is the absolute daily minimum for the entire period of the reservoir’s existence since 1985. Over the month, the water level in it dropped by more than a meter.
The low water level has already threatened the operation of drinking water intakes in Khotyn and Kamianets-Podilskyi. Ukraine tried to agree with Moldova on an additional reduction of discharges from the Dniester reservoir, but at an extraordinary meeting of the joint commission on September 14, the parties did not reach an agreement.
Restrictions are not introduced for the first time
The current order continues a series of measures introduced by the State Water Agency since the beginning of summer. Restrictions on special water use were in effect in separate periods in June, July, August, and the first half of September. For example, the previous period of restrictions was set from September 4 to 15.
As of September 15, restrictions applied to about 300 water users across the country, of which 137 were in the Dniester basin. The State Water Agency separately recommends enterprises to more actively implement water-saving technologies.
Water scarcity creates risks not only for the population, but also for agriculture, industry, and hydropower. To support low-water regions, since the beginning of 2026, state water management organizations have transferred about 171.85 million cubic meters of water through canals and water conduits. This provided water to about 1.7 million people in 56 settlements.
Based on materials from: State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine, State Water Agency – on the situation with low water levels
