VIDEO // Moldovan PM announces installation of additional filters on Dniester River: “Citizens' safety stays our priority''

The authorities have announced the installation of additional filters on the Dniester River, and straw bales are being used in the water – an effective method for retaining oil substances. At the same time, a mobile laboratory is collecting field samples every six hours, in order to constantly monitor water quality. Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu today presented information on the matter. He is in Soroca together with Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder, to monitor the situation on the ground.

The PM stressed that teams from the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), the National Army, Apele Moldovei (Moldova’s Waters) and the Environment Agency are intervening, in order to limit the impact on citizens.

“While Russia continues to attack the neighboring state, our international partners are standing by us. The Environment Ministry is coordinating actions on the side of  Moldova. The Ukrainian side is intervening on their bank of the Dniester, and teams from Romania are already in the field and contributing to the installation of additional filters. In addition, we will access the instruments of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We thank everyone for their prompt support and solidarity. The safety of citizens stays our priority. I urge you to get information only from official sources,” said Alexandru Munteanu.

The authorities of Moldova today raised the alert level in the northern part of the country, after laboratory tests indicated that the admissible limits of certain pollutants in the water of the Dniester River had been exceeded. Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder made statements to this effect. He said that the situation was being constantly monitored and additional measures are being implemented to protect the population.

At the same time, the National Crisis Management Center today ruled to create a joint crisis cell, with specialists from national institutions and experts from neighboring countries, in the context of the pollution of Dniester’s waters.

The problem arose following a Russian attack on a hydropower plant in Ukraine. As a result, an oil substance reached the waters of the Dniester and continues to move downstream.