Moldova, Ukraine step up cooperation to monitor Dniester River flow

Moldova and Ukraine will maintain direct and permanent communication to monitor the hydrological situation of the Dniester River and manage the effects caused by the decrease in water flow. Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder has made statements to this effect, after a discussion with his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksandr Kravchenko, Ukraine’s Minister of Economy and Environment.

The officials discussed the evolution of the water level in the Novodnestrovsk reservoir and the measures needed to manage the situation.

According to Gheorghe Hajder, the Ukrainian side understands the concerns of the Moldovan authorities and has given assurances that it is prepared to provide support and solutions in the event of emergencies.

“We agreed to maintain direct and permanent communication, in order to monitor and manage the effects of the reduced water flow on the Dniester,” the environment minister said.

At the same time, Gheorghe Hajder emphasized that, domestically, increased attention was needed for the intake station that supplies water to the Chisinau municipality. According to him, the installation is fixed and does not take into account variations in the water level, which is why technical measures and works are needed to ensure safe operation even at a lower river level.

“We are monitoring the situation 24/7. Environmental security and the water supply for citizens are non‑negotiable,” Gheorghe Hajder said.

The hydrological alert was introduced following a significant reduction in water resources in the Dniester basin. On July 27, the water level in the Dniester reservoir was 113.24 meters, compared to the normal level of 121 meters. At the same time, there was a risk that the discharge flow from Novodnistrovsk could fall below the safety threshold of 100 m³ per second, which could affect the operation of intake stations and the water supply.