Water of life

      Old age is no joy

      According to publicly available data, the wear and tear of water supply and sewerage facilities in the Kirov region is about 76%. This is a terrifying figure because worn-out pipes not only lead to constant emergencies but also result in low water quality.

      In our region, no one would think of drinking water directly from the tap, although in other developed countries, this is a common practice. And the reason is not that the water is somehow special in other countries, but the quality of water supply infrastructure.

      Yes, the Kirov region needs a major modernization of its water supply system, and steps are already being taken in this direction.

      Network Modernization

      Two years ago, the Kirov regional government adopted a program to modernize the region’s municipal infrastructure until 2030.

      According to officials' plans, over the course of seven years, the accident rate at housing and communal services facilities is expected to decrease by 2% annually. Additionally, programs to modernize the regional water supply system will be implemented in cooperation with investors.

      However, the issue of worn-out networks is understood not only at the regional level but also at the federal level.

      As part of the national project "Infrastructure for Life," in Kirov Region, it is planned to replace 58 km of water pipelines and 24.5 km of sewer networks this year.

      Water Supply Issue

      Another important aspect of modernization is organizing a backup water supply system for the city of Kirov.

      Currently, the city is supplied from the Korchemkino water intake, with a capacity of up to 200,000 cubic meters per day. In terms of water volume supplied, this intake is sufficient for Kirov.

      The problem is that it is the only water intake. Over the past decades, several chemical factories have appeared within its sanitary zone, creating a threat to the entire city’s water supply system.

      There is an alternative to the Korchemkino water intake— the Kumena-Kirov water pipeline. However, the facility is currently mothballed.

      Nevertheless, the regional government plans to secure federal funds to complete the water pipeline, and the Kirov city council has already allocated money for developing new project and cost estimates.