CORE and Myriad Canada Restore Water Supply in Southern Ukraine

Journeys Towards Rebuilding

CORE and Myriad Canada Restore Water Supply in Southern Ukraine

Following the Russian invasion in 2022, Mykolaiv Oblast in southern Ukraine has become a site of continued violence and tragedy on the frontlines of the ongoing war. Many communities have been occupied and endured significant destruction across the territory. In the spring of 2022, the water supply infrastructure of Mykolaiv City and settlements across the region was severely damaged, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without critical access to water.

The scale of devastation continues. With the ongoing shelling of the Oblast, thousands are still left in dire need of assistance as the war enters its fourth year. In August 2024, a shell exploded 100 meters from the Stepove village water tower, puncturing it with shrapnel. “The water immediately started leaking, and that same day, we were without water,” recalls village resident Anna Herula.

Anna Herula was one of more than 1,000 residents of the village of Stepove to lose access to water when their water tower was damaged by shelling.

Anna lives with her husband and father. She says the family had a hard time after the water tower was destroyed. “The only thing we could do to somehow survive without water was to store it. We collected water in all the buckets and barrels we had to last us.“

The Herula family were among more than half of the village’s residents who lost their water supply that day. “We have about 1,900 inhabitants, and more than a thousand of them received water from this tower. The situation was critical because the village is home to families with children, the sick, and the elderly who need proper sanitary conditions. So immediately after the shelling, we started looking for ways to restore the water supply as soon as possible,” says Viktor Fediuk, the head of Stepove village.

“Water is a very necessary thing on the farm. Since we use it not only for cooking but also for caring for our livestock, it is very difficult to use and store enough water without a constant water supply,” explains Anna.

In Mykolaiv, plentiful water is essential for crops in the summer months due to the region’s arid climate. In the winter, it is used in the heating systems of many homes, providing essential warmth during frigid cold months.

CORE responded immediately to the community’s call for help. With funding from Myriad Canada, CORE replaced the damaged water tower. By early December 2024, reliable water service returned to the entire village.

The restored water tower, provides water to over a thousand people.

Image of the new water tower next to the old, damaged one.

This water tower infrastructure allows residents, easy and convenient access to clean drinking water.

New infrastructure gives residents access to clean drinking water.

“We are so grateful for this help! Now we have constant, free access to good quality, clean water. This has greatly improved our lives. Now we no longer have to worry about not having enough water to cook or solve household problems,” says Anna.

Anna demonstrates working taps in her home after the restoration of water services by CORE and Myriad Canada.

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