Residents of Lviv are facing a significant change in utility payments. Starting August 1, 2026, a new tariff for centralized water supply and wastewater disposal will come into effect in the city. The cost per cubic meter of water will double, marking the most substantial increase in recent years.

The new economic reality of the water utility

The Executive Committee of the Lviv City Council has approved the final figures. The new total cost of services will be 56.38 UAH per cubic meter. For comparison, the tariff in effect since 2022 was 25.88 UAH. This decision was not made without cause: the preliminary tariff had not been reviewed for over four years.

During this period, the enterprise's electricity costs have risen by almost 1.7 times. Additionally, fuel, chemical reagents, and employee wages have become significantly more expensive. Lvivvodokanal emphasizes that even the new price will only cover current operating expenses. Funds for modernization or infrastructure development are not included in the tariff.

Technical challenges and the authorities' opinion

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi admitted that the new tariff is not fully economically justified. According to him, this is a minimally necessary measure to ensure the stable operation of the enterprise. The Director of Lvivvodokanal, Dmytro Vankovych, added that Lviv has one of the most complex water supply systems in Ukraine. Water has to be transported hundreds of kilometers via main pipelines, which requires colossal energy costs.

Enterprise experts previously noted that for a full infrastructure update and stable operation, the economically justified tariff should be around 100 UAH per cubic meter. The current increase is merely an attempt to prevent the system from collapsing, but it is not a solution to all problems.

How to get help: housing subsidies

In light of the rising cost of utilities, the city council reminded residents about the possibility of obtaining a housing subsidy. Citizens with low incomes who cannot afford to pay the full cost of services on their own are entitled to state assistance. This most often includes pensioners, people with disabilities, large families, and low-income households.

The procedure for receiving assistance has been simplified for those already registered. The Pension Fund explained that for subsidy recipients, the amount will be recalculated automatically after the new tariff comes into effect. There is no need to apply to authorities additionally.

Citizens who do not yet receive assistance must submit an application. This can be done in several ways:

  • In person at a Pension Fund service center;
  • At administrative service centers (TsNAP);
  • At local self-government bodies or territorial communities;
  • Through the Pension Fund web portal;
  • Through the Diia mobile application;
  • By mail.