Despite constant warnings from Ukrainian intelligence about new attacks on water pumping stations and statements by the President about new attacks on urban water supply infrastructure, a wave of rapid increases in utility tariffs continues to cover Ukraine. This time, Uzhgorod, Odessa and Ternopil are in the TOP of rapid increases in tariffs for water supply and wastewater . However, they are not the only ones, local water utilities throughout the country are massively sending consumers “notices of planned increases in the cost of a cubic meter of water”, and in some regions they are declaring that the cost of a cubic meter of water will increase from July 1 by a shocking 216%.
The head of the Union of Consumers of Public Utilities of Ukraine, Oleg Popenko, published detailed data on the new prices on his channel. So, let’s analyze what is behind this unprecedented jump in prices, in which cities water will become almost “golden”, and is it worth expecting European quality of services at such European prices?
Why are water utilities massively raising prices in 2026?
The increase in water tariffs is on average from 80% to 100%, and in some places it breaks all historical records. Service providers (water canals) justify such an unpopular step with several economic factors:
- Rapid increase in the price of electricity for businesses: This is the main expense item in the cost of water utility services (operation of powerful pumping stations and treatment plants).
- Rising prices for reagents: Chlorine and other chemicals needed for water purification have increased significantly in price due to the war, and not only in Ukraine.
- The unprofitability of current tariffs and huge budget expenses against the backdrop of the war: For example, the Kremenchukvodokanal KP states that their current tariff (31.80 UAH) covers only 65.4% of the real cost of services, which leads to millions in subsidies from the budget and under-revenue of local budget revenues.
However, just as there are counterarguments, the head of the Union of Consumers of Public Utilities, Oleg Popenko:
“In the explanations, we hear about the cost of electricity, the cost of reagents, European values and prices. And when will we hear about European water quality? Because in some cities it is even dangerous to drink it,” he said in his post.
Record-breaking price increases: where did prices rise the most?
Vinnytsia Oblvodokanal set an absolute record for the rate of increase in the cost of services . Residents of the regional center, who previously paid UAH 25.62 per cubic meter, received new payments with a tariff of UAH 81.01 .
The price increase was an incredible 216%! Before that, Odessa was considered the leader in anti-records, where a 170% increase was planned.
Situation in other communities (effective from June 1)
The first cities have already officially approved new prices in early summer 2026:
- Chernivtsi: cost of water supply — 41.904 UAH/m³, sewage — 21.66 UAH/m³. Total — 63.56 UAH/m³ (including VAT).
- Zaporizhia: the total cost of water supply from June 1, 2026 increased to 69.37 UAH/m³ (including VAT).
- Kryvyi Rih: the population now pays 70.56 UAH/m³ for water (of which water supply — 40.88 UAH, and sewage — 29.68 UAH).
- Drohobych: the water tariff in 2026 soared to 87.30 UAH/m³ (62.16 UAH for water and 25.14 UAH for wastewater).
Even in cities where tariffs are planned to be “doubled” (like in Kremenchuk : from UAH 31.80 to UAH 67.44), these indicators still remain lower than the average Ukrainian level after mass recalculation.
Full ranking of Ukrainian cities by new water tariffs (from July 1, 2026)
According to public data and announced draft solutions, we have compiled a table with detailed infographics of water price increases in cities as of the summer of 2026 (cost per 1 cubic meter including VAT, water supply + wastewater):
| Place | City | New tariff (UAH/m³) | When does it take effect? |
| 1 | Uzhhorod | 96.58 | from July 1 |
| 2 | Odesa | 93.66 | from July 1 |
| 3 | Ternopil | 87.34 | from July 1 |
| 4 | Dnipro | 86.83 | from July 1 |
| 5 | Poltava | 84.95 | from July 1 |
| 6 | Vinnytsia | 81.01 | from July 1 |
| 7 | Chernihiv | 77.71 | from July 1 |
| 8 | Lutsk | 73.25 | from July 1 |
| 9 | Zaporizhzhia | 69.37 | valid from June 1 |
| 10 | Ivano-Frankivsk | 65.51 | from July 1 |
| 11 | Chernivtsi | 63.56 | valid from June 1 |
| 12 | Zhytomyr | 59.80 | from July 1 |
| 13 | Rivne | 57.04 | from July 1 |
| 14 | Cherkasy | 56.71 | from July 1 |
| 15 | Khmelnytskyi | 32.64 | valid from June 1 |
As we can see from the table, in the top 5 cities with the most expensive water, the tariff has come close to the psychological mark of 100 hryvnias per cubic meter.
Value for money: Price VS Quality?
Based on dry numbers, Ukrainians are facing not only a significant increase in the financial burden on family budgets. The main question raised by experts and thousands of users on social networks is: will drinking water that is completely safe for consumption flow from the taps after we start paying 80-90-100 hryvnias for it?
The answer from the experts we asked is disappointing, because currently most water utilities are directing the funds received to patch up old holes: paying off debts for electricity, repairing networks worn out since Soviet times, and purchasing basic reagents. Global modernization of treatment facilities, which would allow drinking water directly from the tap, as is done in many European countries, remains an unattainably expensive pleasure and only in long-term plans in the post-war future.
Conclusions and expert opinion
A sharp increase in water utility tariffs in 2026 is often a necessary step to save critical urban infrastructure from collapse and actual bankruptcy. However, poor governance and poor control and communication between the government and utilities lead to even greater problems, where ultimately the consumer loses and pays. Despite the war, water networks should have significant improvements for consumer safety.
What do you think about the new tariffs in your city? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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