VIDEO // Moldovan environment minister inspects Novodnestrovsk Power Plant, confirms pollution source on Dniester River stopped

Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder today paid an emergency visit to the Novodnestrovsk Hydroelectric Power Plant in Ukraine, in order to directly assess the situation regarding the oil product pollution incident. Following the on-site inspection, the Moldovan official confirmed that the main discharge source had been identified and successfully contained.

The primary purpose of the visit was to coordinate efforts with the Ukrainian authorities, in order to ensure the environmental safety of the Dniester River, the main water artery of Moldova. The minister personally made sure that the intervention protocols were correctly applied at the point of origin of the pollution.

According to the minister’s statements, the measures taken at the Hydroelectric Power Plant produced immediate results; however, risks remain present for the downstream sectors.

“I am in Ukraine, at the Novodnestrovsk Hydroelectric Power Plant, to personally ensure that the pollution source has been stopped. I inform you that, at this time, no oil slicks are visible at the source,” the minister said.

Although the discharge of new residues has ceased, the already spilled pollutant mass is moving along the river course, which keeps intervention services in of Moldova on high alert.

Environmental authorities anticipate that the film of oil products will continue to move toward the border with Moldova on the coming period. In the context, strict monitoring of water quality and the preparation of retention dams stay priorities for environmental inspectors and civil protection teams.

Minister Hajder stressed that vigilance was essential at this stage of crisis management.

“Nonetheless, we remain vigilant, we continue the work and monitoring, because there are still oil slicks on the Dniester, which will most likely reach Moldova,” the official warned.

Moldova and Ukraine are working closely together in managing this cross-border pollution incident. Technical teams from both countries are constantly exchanging information, in order to identify the most effective locations for installing absorbent materials and floating barriers.

Gheorghe Hajder reiterated the ministry’s commitment to minimizing the effects on biodiversity and on drinking water intake stations: “What is important is that the pollution source has been stopped and we will continue to work, including together with our colleagues from Ukraine, to reduce the impact of this cross-border pollution.”

At the same time, the Delegation of the European Union to Moldova announced a new stage in extending the assistance provided through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, in order to support national authorities in their efforts to contain and collect oil products from the Dniester River. The new logistical contributions from Belgium and Slovakia will strengthen rapid response capacity in critical areas affected by pollution.