Interview with Hanna Montavon, CEO of Mykolaiv Water Hub and Steering Committee Member of the German-Ukrainian partnership project.
Ms. Montavon, thank you very much for sharing insights on the current challenges for Ukraine’s water supply and the partnership project between German Water Partnership and the Mykolaiv Water Hub, funded by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU). To begin, could you describe the current condition of water and wastewater infrastructure in Mykolaiv and other Ukrainian cities affected by the war?
The condition is extremely challenging. Many Ukrainian cities that are close to frontline (in the South and in the East of Ukraine) – including Mykolaiv – have suffered severe damage to critical infrastructure. In Mykolaiv, the main water intake and supply pipelines were destroyed early in the full-scale invasion, which left nearly 500,000 residents dependent on emergency solutions. Wastewater infrastructure, including pump stations and treatment plants, has also been partially or fully destroyed in several regions.
Beyond the physical damage, the systems that remain are outdated, inefficient, and under immense pressure due to internally displaced populations. Technical staff shortages, lack of spare parts, and unstable energy supply further exacerbate the situation.
In addition, the sector is experiencing a critical shortage of water professionals with strong leadership skills and strategic vision. Ukraine urgently needs a new generation of utility leaders – visionaries who can absorb international best practices, embrace innovation, and steer their organizations through crisis and transformation. Developing these human capacities is just as important as rebuilding the physical infrastructure. This is where our international partners, specifically from Germany can help us.
What are the most pressing technical and operational challenges facing the Ukrainian water sector?
One of the most pressing challenges is the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure under war conditions, which makes repair work both dangerous and logistically complex. At the same time, utilities are struggling to maintain water quality and safeguard public health with limited laboratory capacity and inadequate monitoring systems.
In addition, energy efficiency is compromised, as many utilities rely on outdated and energy-intensive technologies that increase operational costs and vulnerability to power disruptions. Many utilities lack digital asset management systems and crisis-resilient planning tools.
Compounding these difficulties is a shortage of qualified personnel – especially technicians and engineers, as well as transition leaders. Finally, limited access to funding remains a major obstacle: investments often focus on short-term emergency repairs rather than long-term, sustainable infrastructure development.
What are the primary objectives of the German-Ukrainian knowledge and technology transfer?
The overarching goal is to support green, sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine’s water sector through structured cooperation and knowledge sharing between German and Ukrainian partners.
This includes:
- Strengthening the technical and institutional capacity of Ukrainian utilities
- Introducing resource-efficient and EU-aligned technologies and practices
- Creating a platform for exchange and long-term cooperation
- Identifying model roadmaps and pilot projects that can be scaled across the country
In what ways does the project specifically contribute to the sustainable reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine’s water and wastewater infrastructure?
The project builds a strong technical and strategic foundation for Ukraine’s water sector recovery through a range of coordinated activities. It begins with mapping existing infrastructure and identifying gaps, providing a clear picture of current capacities and priorities. At the same time, the project focuses on collecting and translating key data from Ukrainian utilities, ensuring consistent and actionable information for decision-making. A German-Ukrainian Steering Committee is being coordinated to guide and validate the process.
By setting new standards, improving data-driven water management, and strengthening stakeholder engagement, the project helps position Ukrainian cities for future investments from international donors and the EU in sustainable water infrastructure development.
What key activities are planned for the next six months of the project?
A key priority will be the finalization of the status quo assessment with at least two model utilities, providing a clear understanding of current conditions and needs. In parallel, regular exchange formats – such as digital roundtables and workshops – will be organized to foster exchange and knowledge sharing between stakeholders from both countries. The project team will also ensure a strong presence at high-level events, including the Ukraine Recovery Conference, to raise visibility and align efforts with broader reconstruction and development initiatives.
In support of these activities, data will be continuously translated and standardized to enable consistent information management and comparability across utilities.
How can German companies and organizations support the project? Which sectors, technologies, or areas of expertise do you see as especially relevant?
German companies can support the project in several meaningful ways. They can offer compact and modular treatment technologies that allow for rapid deployment in crisis-affected areas. Energy-efficient pumps and systems – especially those compatible with solar energy- are crucial for maintaining services amid unstable power supplies. Digital tools for asset management, leak detection, and SCADA systems can help modernize outdated infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.
Moreover, decentralized wastewater treatment solutions are needed to serve smaller communities or those displaced by war. German expertise is also valuable for delivering training programs, technical secondments, and support in conducting feasibility studies and life-cycle analyses.
Involvement from technology providers, engineering firms, water associations, and academic institutions is not only welcomed – it is essential. This is more than a humanitarian effort; it is a strategic engagement in rebuilding Ukraine’s future infrastructure in line with EU standards.
What opportunities can this project open up for GWP members?
This initiative provides GWP members with:
- Direct access to a fast-evolving marketwith real demand for resilient infrastructure
- Structured cooperation with vetted Ukrainian utilities and municipalities
- Visibility as part of a DBU-funded, high-profile European solidarity project
- A platform for pilot implementation of technologies
- Potential for long-term commercial and institutional partnerships in Ukraine
By engaging in the knowledge and technology transfer, GWP members can help define the guidelines and set European standards for Ukraine’s water sector recovery, making a meaningful contribution to the reconstruction and modernization of a robust and sustainable water future in Ukraine.
