The early 2020s have placed, and continue to place, extreme pressure on Ukraine’s municipal and critical infrastructure systems. The rehabilitation and modernization of Kyiv’s wastewater treatment facility, Bortnychi WWTP, became an urgent requirement to safeguard long-term wastewater treatment performance and operational resilience. Made possible through funding from the Japanese governmental agency JICA, the project has now been realized, and Hydria Water was selected as a trusted technology partner for the second time.
– This project differed significantly from typical assignments, primarily due to the heightened requirements and procedural demands at every stage as a consequence of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, says Seada Mujcinagic, Technical Sales Representative at Hydria Water.
The partnership between AWP Nordic and Hydria Water dates back to the early 2000s. In 2006, Hydria Water was commissioned to supply eleven XS mechanical screens to Bortnychi WWTP. The installation secured a critical element of the city’s wastewater infrastructure, serving nearly three million inhabitants, with highly reliable performance over the years. Nearly two decades later—driven in large part by the operational strain caused by the war—Bortnychi WWTP once again required extensive modernization. With JICA as the sole financial sponsor, the upgrade project was launched in 2024.
– This was a unique and demanding project due to the increased logistical, safety, and documentation requirements resulting from the war, adds Seada.
Modernization Strengthens Critical Water Infrastructure
Following a detailed process analysis, Hydria Water recommended implementing the Cross Screen XS—a high-efficiency, step-type fine screen with several engineering advancements compared to the units installed in the early 2000s. The order comprised eleven XS screens sized 4000-1800-6, making it one of the most extensive deliveries Hydria Water has executed to date, under exceptionally challenging external conditions.
– To mitigate vulnerability when supplying equipment to a conflict zone, and to reduce the requirement for onsite storage prior to installation—which would otherwise be substantial—we delivered the screens in five separate batches. The first shipment was dispatched in September 2024, and from the outset we encountered rigorous documentation controls for each stage of the logistics chain, including dispatch verification and receiving confirmation, Seada explains.
Project Success Through Strong Engineering Coordination
Despite the difficult circumstances, the project progressed with minimal disruption. This was achieved through strict project structure, efficient communication channels, and operational flexibility among all stakeholders, combined with the technical expertise of the installation team and engineers onsite, led by Sergii Derepa from AWP Nordic Products in Ukraine. The project represents one of many successful joint undertakings between Hydria Water and AWP Nordic.
– Hydria Water is a highly reliable partner; any obstacles that arise are handled promptly and professionally. This reflects not only the quality of their mechanical equipment but also the competence and commitment of their personnel, who consistently perform at a high level, says Sergii.
The modernization of Bortnychi WWTP ensures long-term process reliability and operational stability—an essential improvement for a population currently facing significant external threats.
– For us at Hydria Water, the project has been significant in many ways. Managing an installation of this magnitude, with eleven XS screens operating in parallel and serving millions of citizens, has been both technically stimulating and operationally rewarding. It has also demonstrated what can be achieved through strong collaboration, even under extreme circumstances, says Seada.
CHALLENGE
The existing mechanical screens had reached the end of their operational lifespan and required replacement. The primary challenge involved logistics and risk management: ensuring safe and reliable transport of a large-scale equipment delivery to a location subject to war-related disruptions, including potential sabotage, infrastructure instability, and rapidly changing conditions.
SOLUTION
Based on a thorough assessment of the facility’s hydraulic and mechanical requirements, Hydria Water proposed a solution tailored to both current operating conditions in Kyiv and anticipated future process demands. Deliveries and installation were executed through close, structured coordination with Sergii Derepa and his onsite installation team. Rigorous planning, process control, and flexibility among all parties were key to the project’s successful implementation.
RESULT
A fully modernized wastewater treatment facility with upgraded mechanical pretreatment capacity and robust, future-proofed water infrastructure for the residents of Kyiv—a crucial safeguard in a region exposed to elevated risk during periods of conflict and instability.