When electricity is cut off in a city, the water supply is often interrupted as well — not because of the water itself, but due to the dependence of the water supply system on electricity. Water is pumped through the system by electric-powered pumps.
When emergency power outages occur, these pumps lose power and stop operating. Pressure in the water system quickly drops, and water ceases to flow into buildings — first to upper floors, and then to lower ones. Some residual water may still flow for a short time due to remaining pressure in the system, but only briefly.
If the water utility has backup power sources (such as diesel generators or automatic systems), water supply may continue.
Once electricity is restored, pumps are restarted, system pressure gradually recovers, and water flow resumes.
It is important to understand that emergency power outages are a direct consequence of the systematic and targeted attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which have continued over recent years. These attacks have caused severe damage to generating capacities and power grids across the country.
Ukraine’s energy workers deserve the highest respect — they work around the clock, often under life-threatening conditions, to eliminate the consequences of shelling, carry out repairs under the threat of renewed attacks, and restore light and heat to Ukrainian homes as quickly as possible.
