Dniester Commission rules to maintain river flow at 60 m³/s for next two weeks

Moldova and Ukraine have reached a compromise regarding the water flow of the Dniester River, after the Ukrainian side initially proposed reducing it to 50 cubic meters per second. Over the next two weeks, the flow will be maintained at 60 m³/s, as agreed by the authorities during a meeting of the Dniester Commission.

The issue was also discussed at meetings between the authorities of Moldova and the Ukrainian delegation led by President Volodymyr Zelensky on August 27.

The Dniester’s flow is essential for supplying water to the Chisinau municipality and more other localities of Moldova. The hydrological situation is also difficult for Ukraine, amid drought and lack of precipitation. The water level in the Novodnistrovsk reservoir, which is usually around the 123-meter mark, is approaching 112 meters, considered a critical level, according to a government’s press release.

“In the last ten days, the average inflow of water into the reservoir was only 23 m³/s, while the outflow discharged into the Dniester was 75 m³/s. This difference puts pressure on water reserves and creates risks for supplying some cities in Ukraine, as well as for the operation of the Novodnistrovsk power plant. The problem also has an energy component for Moldova. In recent days, approximately 10–20 per cent of the country’s electricity needs have been covered by imports from Ukraine, depending on demand and the prices available on regional markets,” said the government’s spokesperson, Dumitru Ciorici.

According to the Moldovan authorities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured that Ukraine would seek solutions so that the population of Moldova is not affected by the hydrological situation.

“This is a situation in which both countries face real constraints. That is precisely why our relationship with Ukraine matters: we can talk openly about problems, we can take into account each side’s needs, and we can find balanced solutions that protect people in both countries as much as possible,” Ciorici stated.

The sides agreed to maintain permanent contact and to monitor the evolution of hydrological and meteorological conditions. Depending on the development of water reserves and weather conditions, new decisions on the Dniester’s flow will be taken later.

On August 26, the government extended the state of alert in the energy sector and in the hydrological field by 30 days. The measure is necessary, in order to continue managing risks in the energy sector and the effects of hydrological drought.