PHOTO // Authorities in Moldova and Ukraine assess situation on Dniester and prepare measures to reduce risks

The water level in the Dniester River remains abnormally low, and the authorities of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine have assessed the situation at several critical points along the river and discussed the measures needed to ensure water supply to the population and manage strategic reserves. The assessments were carried out on Tuesday during a working visit to Ukraine by the Minister of Environment, Gheorghe Hajder, together with a team of specialists.

According to the Ministry of Environment, the Moldovan delegation inspected the water intake station that supplies drinking water to the city of Khotyn. Due to the very low level of the Dniester, the Ukrainian authorities have taken additional measures to ensure that water reaches the intake area and to avoid interruptions in the population’s water supply. Another critical point visited was near the city of Halych, located upstream on the Dniester, where technical teams from the two countries carried out measurements. These indicated a river flow of only 17 cubic meters per second at the time of the visit.

The delegation also traveled to the Novodnestrovsk reservoir, the Dniester’s main water reserve. According to the data presented, in recent days the reservoir has received an average inflow of about 30 cubic meters of water per second, while outflows have been around 85 cubic meters per second. Under these conditions, the strategic water reserve is being used to ensure water supply to the population and maintain the necessary downstream flows.

The Ministry of Environment notes that the reduced water level is caused by a prolonged precipitation deficit, low inflow into the Nistru reservoir, and unfavorable climatic conditions. According to hydrometeorological forecasts, the situation is not expected to improve in August, and the water level may continue to decline. During the visit, discussions were held with representatives of the State Agency for Water Resources of Ukraine, led by Director Igor Hopceak, with specialists from the Hydrometeorological Service of Ukraine, and with those responsible for the operation of water intake stations.

The parties analyzed hydrological forecasts, possible scenarios for the evolution of the situation, and the measures to be implemented to reduce risks. The authorities urge the population to use water responsibly and state that the evolution of the situation is being continuously monitored, with any additional measures to be communicated publicly.

On July 28, the Republic of Moldova declared a state of hydrological alert for a period of 30 days, following a significant reduction in water resources in the Dniester basin. After a visit to the Novodnestrovsk reservoir, the Minister of Environment announced that the water level had dropped to 112.9 meters, more than four meters below the level recorded in the same period last year. The authorities are continuously monitoring the evolution of the situation and urge the population to save water.