In the Drohobych community, temporary restrictions on the water supply regime have been introduced due to prolonged drought and a sharp decrease in water reserves at the intakes. The director of the municipal enterprise Drohobychvodokanal, Roman Shahala, reported on the operation of the utility under these conditions during a staff meeting at Drohobych City Council.
According to the enterprise, due to an abnormally long absence of rainfall for the region, the water flow rate at the Uryzh and Hirne intakes has decreased by approximately 40%. In August, only 34% of the monthly rainfall norm was recorded, which significantly lowered water levels in reservoirs. Despite this, thanks to the use of all boreholes, equipment and personnel, it was possible until recently to provide consumers in the community with a round-the-clock water supply.
The most difficult situation has developed at the Uryzh intake. With a required 500–550 m³ of water per hour, actual extraction has fallen to 250–300 m³/h, and at present it is technically impossible to increase this volume. Since the capacity of the Hirne intake is eight times greater than that of Uryzh, some customers who received water from Uryzh have been switched to supply from Hirne. This has partially stabilised the situation, but has not fully resolved the problem.
Due to the resource deficit, Drohobychvodokanal is introducing a reduced water supply regime at night. From 00:00 to 05:00, water will be supplied at reduced pressure, sufficient primarily to ensure the operation of fire-fighting systems. At the same time, in the Konovalets microdistrict, where water is supplied via storage tanks, water will remain available around the clock.
For residents of the Hyrivka and Mlynky microdistricts (Stepan Rudanskyi Street), drinking water is being delivered by tanker trucks. Residents of the village of Nahuievychi, which is located on higher ground, are being asked temporarily to use water from wells, as it is currently difficult to maintain stable pressure in the network there.
The head of the enterprise stressed that the water supply situation directly depends on weather conditions and can improve only after several days of heavy rain, which are needed to restore the aquifers.
“Therefore, we ask everyone to treat the situation with understanding, to make a small supply of drinking water in your homes and to use it sparingly,” emphasised Roman Shahala.
The reduced water supply regime has been introduced on the basis of Decision No. 94 of the Executive Committee of Drohobych City Council dated 12.04.2022, “On approval of the regime of water supply and wastewater disposal for the population from the municipal water supply system of Drohobychvodokanal of Drohobych City Council”. The document allows, with the consent of the mayor, a switch to a restricted water supply regime in the event of a prolonged absence of rainfall and a decrease in water levels in boreholes, which leads to a reduction in water extraction.