PHOTO // National Army distributes water in Balti city, as authorities activate alternative sources after suspension of intake from Dniester

Residents of the Balti municipality are receiving support from the National Army of Moldova, after the water supply from the Dniester has been temporarily suspended in more localities in the north of the country. Soldiers from the Moldova Motorized Infantry Brigade have stepped in to distribute drinking water to the population, in the context of protection measures adopted by the authorities following pollution of the river.

A National Army special vehicle equipped with a 10-ton tank has been deployed in the municipality of Balti and is stationed in the Bus Station area, on Stefan cel Mare Street, where citizens can come to collect water. The soldiers ensure the distribution of water to residents, as part of an action meant to reduce the impact of the restrictions imposed on water supply systems.

Army representatives said that the intervention was part of the state institutions’ effort to support the population during this period and to ensure access to essential resources until the situation stabilizes. According to the military, the operation is being carried out in cooperation with local authorities and the institutions responsible for managing emergency situations.

In parallel, central and local authorities continue to identify and activate alternative water sources for the localities affected by the suspension of water intake from the Dniester. According to information presented by the Environment Ministry of Moldova, more measures have already been implemented in districts in the north of the country.

In Soroca, the authorities have cleaned and reactivated seven artesian wells, which are to ensure the water supply to consumers on the coming period. These sources are meant to compensate for the halt in water intake from the river and to cover the needs of the affected localities.

In Floresti, the authorities have already begun using wells that pump water from underground. Thus, more settlements that previously received water directly from the Dniester – including Iliciovca, Maiscoe, Trifanesti, Sevirova, Ivanovca, Bezeni, and Scaieni – are already supplied from alternative sources.

In Sangerei, most localities have their own supply systems from underground wells, which has allowed the maintenance of water supply in much of the district. At present, only the locality of Heciul Nou faces difficulties in ensuring a stable supply, and the educational institutions in the locality – the school and the kindergarten – are provided with drinking water with the support of the district council.

In the Balti municipality, in addition to the intervention of the National Army, local authorities are preparing other support measures for the population. In the coming hours, residents are to receive drinking water and technical water transported by tankers, and in parallel, possibilities are being examined to identify additional wells in neighboring districts to cover the water needs.

The authorities emphasize that the situation on the Dniester is being continuously monitored, as the pollution source upstream stays active. Intervention teams are in the field tracking the evolution of the phenomenon, while specialists are continuing to set additional filtering barriers, in order to limit the spread of the pollutant along the river.

At the same time, technical solutions are being analyzed to make the water decontamination process more efficient and to protect the water supply systems of the downstream localities. The competent institutions have announced that they would continue to assess the situation and would provide updated information depending on the evolution of the pollution level and the results of laboratory analyses.

The main goal of the measures adopted stays the protection of public health and the prevention of contamination of water supply networks in the affected regions.