Environmental and Social Due Diligence of the Mykolaiv Emergency Water Supply Project
Client:
The EBRD was considering financing the urgent rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure in Mykolaiv to address the unsatisfactory technical condition caused by outdated assets, physical damage from Russian shelling, and the consequences of the Nova Kakhovka HPP dam destruction. The project, implemented by the municipal enterprise Mykolaivvodokanal, aimed to modernize infrastructure. The city sought international support to ensure the sustainable delivery of essential services, particularly in the context of war and the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Identify existing and project-related environmental and social impacts and risks;
Describe and characterize the environmental and social context and relevant risks related to current site activities and the project;
Confirm the project category (A or B) based on impact analysis;
Develop an Environmental and Social Assessment Report in line with EBRD requirements, as defined in the ESP;
Prepare a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP), and Non-Technical Summary (NTS);
Prepare an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for construction works;
Determine the need for further additional studies to provide more detailed coverage of other aspects (e.g., biodiversity, resettlement, workforce reduction, etc.).
A comprehensive assessment was conducted of water quality, service reliability, and compliance with national standards, EU standards, and WHO requirements for cold and hot water supply, as well as a comparison of service quality with Western European countries. The assessment included a review of the city’s environmental conditions, evaluation of existing water and wastewater monitoring procedures, analysis of treatment plant capacity, sludge management, and the impact of treated and untreated wastewater on downstream water quality, along with recommendations for alternative solutions.
