Rebuilding Ukraine: Japan provides Kyivvodokanal with advanced water purification equipment

Kyivvodokanal Public Joint Stock Company has received new equipment from Japan as part of cooperation under the Emergency Recovery Program, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The Ministry of Communities and Territories Development reports this.

"We value our cooperation with Japan and are deeply grateful for the launch of a new project with JICA – Phase 4 of the Emergency Recovery Program, which also includes a subproject to improve water supply," Deputy Minister of Development Maryna Denysiuk emphasized at the ceremony, which representatives of the Embassy of Japan and JICA also attended.

Denysiuk emphasized that the equipment, including water purification and disinfection systems, aeration units, tanker trucks, and generators for water treatment, represents more than just technology.

The support provided through JICA has a tangible impact on communities across Ukraine, ensuring that basic services remain available even in times of crisis.

Since February 2024, Kyivvodokanal has been receiving equipment under the subproject for emergency water supply improvement and, since May 2024, under the subproject for sewerage.

It is noted that since the launch of the joint Emergency Recovery Program, Japan has already contributed to:

• modernization of humanitarian demining facilities and medical equipment;
• transformation of transport and energy services;
• promotion of waste management from destruction;
• provision of support to the agricultural sector.

It should be noted that the grant agreement for the Emergency Recovery Program between JICA and the Government of Ukraine was signed on March 9, 2023. It provides a grant from the Government of Japan in the amount of 22,440 million Japanese yen (172.75 million USD) for the program's implementation.

Moreover, Japan is one of the largest donors to Ukraine; in 2024 alone, it allocated 4.2 billion USD to support the budget of Ukraine. In addition, through JICA, Japan has allocated over $1.5 billion, and over $70 million for humanitarian demining.

For reference:

As reported, the Finnish Environment Institute will provide 2 million euros for the project "Support to Ukraine in Environmental Damage Assessment and Development of Water Quality and Biodiversity Monitoring," which will be implemented jointly with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources from 2025 to 2028.

Additionally, the State Water Resources Agency of Ukraine received three mobile laboratories for water quality monitoring from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

It is noted that the purchase of mobile laboratories is a continuation of the cooperation with the Republic of Korea initiated in 2023 within the framework of responding to threats to water supply in the territories due to the collapse of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station dam.

It is worth noting that Rubryka reported on efforts to purify water from the estuary to aid Mykolaiv. A short documentary about the city utility company "Mykolaivvodokanal" has surfaced online, highlighting its unique role as the first modern enterprise compelled to supply sea "salty" water to homes.

The war has inflicted significant damage on the Sumy region, particularly impacting wells, which are crucial sources of water in emergency situations. "Building Ukraine Together" has restored five wells across three villages in the Sumy region. Rubryka investigated the reasons and methods behind this restoration effort.