Environment Minister: Oil pollution level in Dniester returned to admissible limits

The authorities are examining the resumption of water supply in the north of the country after petroleum product parameters in the Dniester River have returned to admissible limits. Minister of Environment Gheorghe Hajder made the statement before today’s Government meeting.

According to him, for the first time since the onset of the crisis, all three critical points – Naslavcea, Cosăuți and Rezina – reached, on March 17, the level of 0.1 mg/l, considered the admissible limit.

“This is clear evidence that the oil discharges upstream have been strongly reduced, and the absorbent barriers have done their job,” the minister stated.

The authorities will continue to monitor how the situation evolves over the next 48 hours. If the test results remain within admissible limits or improve, the reopening of the Cosăuți pumping station will be considered. This station supplies water to the districts of Soroca, Sângerei, Florești and the municipality of Bălți. The minister specified that confirmation is required through at least two consecutive tests, conducted at an interval of no less than 24 hours.

Data presented by the official show a downward trend in pollution levels. At Naslavcea, the entry point into the country, the concentration of petroleum products exceeded the admissible limit fourfold on March 15, then subsequently decreased and returned to normal on March 17. At Cosăuți, the exceedances recorded on March 15 were eliminated in the following days, while at Rezina the level gradually decreased from values three times above the limit to within admissible parameters.

The Minister of Environment noted that smaller-volume leaks are still being recorded and that the authorities will maintain intervention measures to reduce the impact on the river and on the population. To support these efforts, additional equipment and materials for water treatment at the Cosăuți intake are being shipped from Romania.

Investigations into the total amount of discharged petroleum products are also continuing. According to preliminary data, it is at least 1.5 tonnes, though the authorities believe the actual volume may be higher. Laboratory analyses confirm the presence of compounds derived from petroleum products.

The minister further stated that, after the crisis is overcome, a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact will be carried out in order to establish the extent of the damage caused. At present, the Ministry of Environment has requested official information from the Ukrainian side regarding the source of the pollution.

At the same time, the authorities continue to ensure the delivery of drinking and technical water to the population of the municipality of Bălți, a measure that will be maintained until the safe resumption of the regular water supply.