Residents of Vladivostok are facing repeated disruptions to heating and hot water services, with significant outages being reported across various neighborhoods due to scheduled filter cleaning operations by the local power supply company, ВПЭС. These service interruptions have left many feeling frustrated and concerned, especially as they occur during the harsh winter months.
On December 17 and 25, 2023, reports emerged from sources including ИА DEITA.RU and ИА PrimaMedia, detailing how filter-cleaning procedures at the Central Thermal Point impacted over 100 homes across the city. Specifically, neighborhoods such as the bay of Tikhaya and the First May District have been heavily affected. During this recent outage, heating and hot water were temporarily shut down for 90 apartment buildings and several facilities including kindergartens and schools.
The responsible entity, ВПЭС, indicated the operations involved several employees and machinery tasked with clearing filters, which are necessary for maintaining the quality of the heating supply. "The services were shut down for filter cleaning on the heating network," reported ИА PrimaMedia. Although the utility company claims these operational tasks are aimed at ensuring quality service, many residents are left questioning the timing and necessity of such work during peak heating season.
One resident expressed the growing sentiment among those affected, asking, "Is it legally normal to turn off heating in winter for filter cleaning?" This question highlights the concern from the community about whether these actions comply with regulations, particularly during frigid temperatures when reliable heating is most imperative.
On December 18, the situation became more troubling as residents continued to report cold temperatures within their apartments, with some stating their homes dropped to as low as 10 degrees Celsius due to prolonged outages. Complaints flooded social media platforms, where homeowners voiced their grievances about the repeated service interruptions, particularly pointing out the inadequate communication and advance notice from the utility provider.
The complaints did not end there; many residents noted the long-standing issue of heating outages repeated throughout the current heating season. The residents have also raised concerns about the lack of any financial adjustments or compensation for the interrupted heating services, which they assert contributes to undue financial strain during the winter months.
Local heating services had already faced scrutiny on December 17 when similar filter-clearing operations led to mass outages not only in the First May District but extending to other areas including Frunzensky, Leninsky, and Sovetsky districts.
"Today's service interruptions were planned to improve the quality of supplied utility services," stated ВПЭС on December 25, aiming to address the outcry by justifying the necessity of these operational challenges. Yet for many residents, the idea of improved service quality feels far removed from their daily reality.
Overall, Vladivostok residents are left grappling with the unpleasant reality of cold homes and watery frustrations as they navigate the impact of poorly timed utility maintenance during the heart of winter. With temperatures expected to dip again soon, questions loom over how the city plans to balance necessary upkeep with the pressing need for reliable heating services. The community atmosphere remains tense as residents continue voicing their concerns, hoping for prompt resolutions moving forward.
