Water rates have gone up in a number of Ukrainian cities
As of June 1, 2026, new water supply and wastewater disposal rates took effect in certain cities across Ukraine. This increase became possible after the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC) transferred its authority to set service rates to local governments.
Now, decisions on tariff changes are made by local authorities, so the cost of water can vary significantly depending on the locality. In some cities, the price per cubic meter has already reached 130 hryvnias.
Where prices have already risen
"The first communities have already begun making decisions to raise water utility rates. The increase is very significant—80–100%," said Oleg Popenko, head of the Ukrainian Union of Utility Consumers, on Telegram.
As of June 1, current rates (including wastewater disposal) in a number of cities are as follows:
Pavlohrad: 113.00 UAH per 1 cubic meter;
Drohobych: 87.30 UAH per 1 cubic meter;
Zaporizhzhia: 69.37 UAH per 1 cubic meter;
Chernivtsi: 63.564 UAH per 1 cubic meter;
Voznesensk: 71.44 UAH per 1 cubic meter.
"In Borodianka, starting July 1, 2026, the tariff for centralized water supply will be 56.76 UAH per cubic meter including VAT, and for centralized wastewater disposal—82.58 UAH per cubic meter including VAT. The total cost of services will be 139.34 UAH per cubic meter," according to a decision by the Borodianka Town Council.
It should be noted that, on average, a family of four uses 10 cubic meters of water.
Where tariff reviews are underway
At the same time, the process of reviewing prices is ongoing in many other cities. Water utilities have already submitted their calculations, and city councils are reviewing them at their sessions.
Proposed rates:
Vinnytsia – proposing a price increase to 81.01 UAH per cubic meter;
Dnipro – the calculated rate for residents is 86.83 UAH per 1 cubic meter;
Ternopil – the cost could reach nearly 99 UAH per cubic meter;
Uzhhorod – over 96 UAH per cubic meter;
Kryvyi Rih – approximately 78.00 UAH per cubic meter;
Lutsk – 73.25 UAH per cubic meter;
Odesa – over 90 UAH per 1 cubic meter;
Uman – over 130 UAH per cubic meter.
Kyiv has not yet officially announced a price increase. The current rate is approximately 30.38 UAH per cubic meter for both water supply and wastewater services combined. However, media reports suggest that the new rate could be around 89 UAH per cubic meter.
Why prices have risen
Utility companies explain this decision as a "matter of survival" for critical infrastructure, which was previously maintained through subsidies. Among the key factors driving the price increase are:
a significant increase in electricity costs required for pumping and treating water;
rising prices for fuel, chemicals, and repair materials;
the need to fund emergency repairs on worn-out networks under martial law.
Oleg Popenko, head of the Ukrainian Utility Consumers’ Union, noted that utility providers cite the cost of electricity, chemicals, and European prices, but consumers should also receive European-quality water, as in many cities it falls far short of that standard.
Read also about how many cases of overpricing of utility rates have been recorded in Ukraine, but now consumers will be refunded the "excess" money.
