Ukrainians may face prolonged power outages that could cause new disruptions in water supply. Experts warn that in the event of further Russian attacks on the energy system and increased consumption during frosts, blackouts in certain regions may last for several days. At the same time, restoring water supply will require additional time even after electricity returns.
Such assessments were shared by the head of the Association of Utility Consumers, Oleh Popenko, in an interview with the YouTube channel "Superpositsiya" and energy expert Stanislav Ihnatiev on the air of "Ranok.LIVE".
According to Popenko's forecast, with the onset of frost down to minus five degrees, the load on the damaged energy system may significantly increase. In that case, he believes, in some regions electricity supply may be restored only for short periods, and the duration of continuous blackouts in the worst-case scenario may reach three to five days.
The expert links these risks to large-scale damage to power plants and substations as a result of Russian strikes. At the same time, his assessment is a pessimistic scenario, not an approved outage schedule or an official forecast by NPC Ukrenergo.
Stanislav Ihnatiev, for his part, warned of possible "water blackouts" due to prolonged power outages at pumping stations. According to him, during short power outages lasting two to three hours, the water supply system can still maintain the necessary pressure. However, longer absence of electricity significantly complicates its operation.
"If a pumping group is de-energized for 8-10 hours, then to start the water supply system and create pressure, another three hours are needed. And most importantly, during these three hours we must have stable power supply", - explained Ihnatiev.
Thus, even after electricity supply is restored, water may not appear in homes immediately. Time is needed to start pumping equipment, fill the networks, and stabilize pressure. According to Ihnatiev, in case of repeated blackouts this process may be further delayed.
Kyiv already felt the consequences of dependence of water supply on electricity on November 3-4. As previously />reported by "Kurs Ukrainy", after Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure, the main facilities of Kyivvodokanal were left without power, causing temporarily centralized water supply in the capital to stop.
On the morning of November 4, water was returned to only part of consumers, and on the right bank pressure remained low. Only at 13:50 the company announced the full restoration of water supply and the return of all pumping stations to normal operation.
The problem of backup power for water utilities is being addressed at the state level. On November 5, the government announced the transfer of ten additional generators to Kyiv to ensure the operation of the water utility. Another 21 generators will be given to 12 municipalities in the regions. Local authorities were urged to install and connect the equipment as soon as possible.
At the same time, the availability of backup power does not eliminate all risks. Large pumping stations require significant capacity, and the duration of possible interruptions depends on the scale of damage, the state of power grids, and the possibilities of autonomous supply for a particular facility.
Currently, multi-day power outages and prolonged water supply interruptions remain possible scenarios, not confirmed developments. The actual mode of power supply is determined by energy system operators, and information about water supply is published by local water utilities.
Based on materials: , "Ranok.LIVE", Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
