VIDEO // Environment minister says there is no danger to water supply in Moldovan capital, authorities constantly monitor situation on Dniester

The water supply of the Chisinau municipality is not currently at risk and the results of the water quality tests are good. Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder has made statements to this effect, who is at the water intake station for the capital, where additional protective barriers have been installed, in order to prevent possible effects of oil pollution on the Dniester River.

The minister said that safety measures had been strengthened with the support of experts from Romania, and intervention teams were continuously monitoring the situation, in order to ensure that the pollutant does not reach downstream, towards the intake stations that supply the capital.

“I am at the water intake station of the Chisinau municipality, where, with the support of colleagues from Romania, additional protective booms have been installed. Today there is no danger, because the test results are good. If the situation changes, we will come with additional recommendations to create reserves, if necessary,” the environment minister said.

The authorities have installed additional absorbent barriers near the intake station that supplies Chisinau, as part of the protection plan against a possible spread of oil products' pollution.

According to the environment minister, these measures are meant to provide an additional level of security for the capital’s water supply system, in the context in which the pollution detected in the north of the country continues to be closely monitored by the authorities.

At the same time, intervention teams from the responsible institutions continue to work in the north of Moldova, in order to limit the movement of the pollutant and to prevent it from reaching the water intake areas that serve the municipality of Chisinau.

Hajder stressed that specialized laboratories continue to periodically analyze water samples and that state institutions are ready to intervene rapidly, if the situation changes.

He also urged the population to follow only official information and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified information.

“Intervention teams continue to work in the north of Moldova, so that this substance does not reach Chisinau. Follow us for further updates and please get your information from reliable sources,” the environment minister said.

Presently, according to the authorities, residents of Chisinau do not need to stockpile water, as the supply system is operating under normal conditions, and the tests carried out so far confirm that the water does not pose risks to the population. If the situation changes, the responsible institutions will immediately announce the measures that need to be taken.

The Dniester River was affected by contamination with oil substances following an attack on a hydropower plant in Ukraine by Russian forces. The pollutant was discharged into the watercourse and started moving towards the territory of Moldova, endangering aquatic ecosystems and water sources for riverside communities.

The Moldovan authorities reacted immediately, mobilizing intervention teams and implementing complex measures to contain and monitor the pollution. These measures included installing filters and barriers to capture oil substances, continuous monitoring of water quality and coordinating with local authorities and emergency services to prevent the spread of contamination.

The impact on aquatic fauna and flora, as well as the risks to drinking water, have also been assessed. In managing the situation, Romania has provided technical and logistical support, helping to strengthen barriers and filtration systems, as well as to monitor water quality on transboundary watercourses. Romanian, Moldovan and Ukrainian teams are working together on an ongoing basis, in order to limit the immediate effects on the environment, protect the population and prevent long-term impacts on ecosystems and riverside agriculture.

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu has requested, through the Interior Ministry, the activation of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, in order to secure additional resources for managing the situation. Also, the Ministry of Defense has deployed military personnel, equipment and technical units to support operations to protect the river and riparian areas.

The authorities continue the permanent monitoring of water quality and coordinate actions with local services and environmental agencies, in order to prevent the spread of pollution and to protect both the environment and the population that depends on the waters of the Dniester. This situation underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation and rapid response in the face of threats to the environment and water resources.