VIDEO // Authorities raise alert level after Dniester River water pollution: laboratory tests show exceeding of permitted limits

The authorities of the Republic of Moldova have raised the alert level in the northern area of the country, after laboratory analyses indicated that permissible limits of certain pollutants in the water of the Dniester River have been exceeded. Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder made the statement today. He said that the situation is being constantly monitored and additional measures are being implemented to protect the population.

According to the official, the problem arose after a petroleum substance coming from Ukraine, following a Russian attack on a hydropower plant, reached the waters of the Dniester and continues to move downstream. Under these conditions, the authorities decided to increase the alert level for localities in the Naslavcea area, where analyses indicated values above the permitted limits.

"Because this fuel continues to reach the Dniester River, we were forced to raise the alert level for residents in the Naslavcea region. Laboratory data show that the permitted limits have been exceeded, and consequently we have raised the risk level to yellow code. If the situation requires it, we will temporarily stop the water supply for localities in the north of the Republic of Moldova," said the Minister of Environment.

Interventions on both banks of the Dniester

The minister noted that, from the early hours of the morning, intervention teams from Ukraine have been working on the Ukrainian bank of the river to limit the spread of the pollution. At the same time, the authorities of the Republic of Moldova have benefited from support from Romania, which sent equipment and specialists for installing additional filters designed to reduce the impact of the pollutants.

In parallel, the responsible institutions in the Republic of Moldova continue to constantly monitor water quality to prevent any risk to the population.

According to Gheorghe Hajder, specialists are carrying out laboratory analyses at regular intervals to track how the situation evolves.

"We collect water samples with mobile laboratories directly in the field every six hours, to make sure that the water does not pose dangers to citizens. Depending on the results, we will decide on the necessary measures to protect the population," the minister explained.

Additional filters and straw barriers

Among the measures implemented to limit the effects of the pollution are the installation of additional filters and the use of straw bales, which serve to absorb and retain petroleum substances from the water surface.

The Minister of Environment mentioned that this method is effective and frequently used in such situations, even though there have been public debates regarding the efficiency of this solution.

"I have seen that there are discussions in society about the use of these straw bales. I want to point out that this is one of the most effective methods for capturing and removing petroleum substances from water," the official said.

Authorities continue field interventions

The Minister of Environment also stated that intervention teams are moving to other areas of the river to monitor the situation and to check how protection measures are being implemented.

In this context, the official announced that he will travel today to Soroca as well, to ensure that the field teams are acting effectively and to assess the evolution of the situation.

The authorities assure that they will continue to constantly monitor water quality and will inform the population about any change in the situation, so that any potential risks to citizens’ health are prevented.