Published on: 2026-07-24
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
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Yuri Feofanov
Professor Department of Water Use and Ecology Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Urban Economy of SPbGASU (FIEUE), Doctor of Technical Sciences Yuri Aleksandrovich Feofanov shared memories of his scientific career, talked about working with students, and explained how the water supply system of Saint Petersburg is arranged.
Yuri Feofanov has worked at the university for more than sixty years. He began his scientific career immediately after graduating from the institute and dedicated it to the study of water supply and water treatment systems.
“I have always liked scientific work. Every study is a step into the unknown, a search for new solutions. Today you work on one task, tomorrow on another, and there is no routine in this,” the professor said.
Over the years, the scientist has participated in numerous scientific and industry projects. In particular, he worked on the development of water treatment systems for closed fish farming systems. These developments were implemented in production and received international recognition.
“We developed water purification systems for recirculating systems. These technologies were patented in several foreign countries, and for one of the developments I received a silver medal at VDNH,” noted Yuri Feofanov.
The professor pays great attention to working with students and young researchers. According to him, there are always students who are genuinely eager to engage in science.
“There are people who are drawn to research work, and it is very interesting to work with them. But science demands full commitment: if a person decides to engage in science, they must dedicate themselves to this endeavor,” he emphasized.
Speaking about the development of a scientific career, Yuri Feofanov notes that it is important for young researchers to maintain interest in their profession and not be afraid of challenging tasks.
“If you are passionate about science, you need to pursue it and move forward despite difficulties,” the professor believes.
During the conversation, the scientist also talked about how the water supply system of Saint Petersburg is arranged and what technologies are used for the preparation of drinking water.
According to Yuri Feofanov, the main source of the city’s water supply is the Neva River: about 98% of the drinking water comes from it. Another approximately 2% is provided by underground sources in the northern districts and in Zelenogorsk.
Water goes through a multi-stage purification system at the water treatment plants.
“The main process is coagulation. A special reagent is added to the water, which forms flakes and binds suspended substances, organic compounds, and other impurities. Then the water passes through settling tanks and filters,” the professor explained.
Modern water treatment technologies also include ozonation, the use of activated carbon, and dual disinfection with chlorine and ultraviolet light. These methods allow for ensuring high-quality drinking water even when the water conditions in the Neva basin change.
The total length of the water supply networks in Saint Petersburg today exceeds 7,000 kilometers. To maintain stable pressure in the system, nearly 200 booster pumping stations operate, and the network itself is built on a ring principle, which allows water supply to be maintained even in case of accidents in specific sections.
Separately, the professor spoke about hot water supply. In Russia, there is a gradual transition from open systems, where water from heating networks is used, to closed systems. In such systems, cold water is heated through heat exchangers and does not mix with the heating coolant.
“According to modern requirements, hot water must meet drinking water sanitary standards and have a temperature between 60 and 75 degrees,” noted Yuri Feofanov.
Among the key tasks of the industry, the scientist highlights the modernization of infrastructure. Many water supply stations in Saint Petersburg were built in the first half of the 20th century and are gradually being updated.
“There is currently a program for the modernization of treatment facilities until 2035. Within its framework, new technologies are being implemented and equipment is being updated,” the professor said.
In conclusion of the conversation, Yuri Feofanov noted that the preservation of water resources largely depends on the environmental culture of society.
“The simplest thing that each person can do is to save water and not pollute water bodies. Caring for nature begins with everyday habits,” he emphasized.
You can become a new-generation engineer in the field of communal infrastructure (water supply, heat power engineering, electric power engineering, heat and gas supply, and ventilation), in the sphere of environmental management, land management, and cadastral work at at the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Management – FIEiGH SPbGASU.
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