VIDEO // New protective barriers installed on Dniester River

Intervention teams are continuing to install new protective barriers, distribute eco-friendly absorbent material, and place absorbent pads on the surface of the Dniester River. In addition, a new batch of equipment and materials provided by Romania is on its way to the Republic of Moldova.

Minister of Environment Gheorghe Hajder is on site coordinating the intervention actions.

“Today we are once again on the banks of the Dniester. Yesterday I was in Parliament, where I presented the report on the situation on the Dniester. Even though some MPs were displeased that I did not come earlier, I made it very clear to them that my priority was to be here in the field, where the situation is changing from hour to hour, and to inform citizens correctly from the primary source,” said Hajder.

The official stressed that as long as the oil substance continues to flow along the Dniester River, the authorities will step up protection measures to maintain water quality.

“We are staying in the field and continuing our work. Right now, new equipment is heading from Romania to the Republic of Moldova, and our teams are constantly monitoring the situation and carrying out intervention and maintenance work. We are installing new protective barriers, distributing eco-friendly absorbent material, and placing absorbent pads on the water surface. We remain mobilized, we act responsibly, and we will do everything necessary to protect the Dniester,” he stated.

Several localities in the north of the country, including the municipality of Bălți and the districts of Soroca, Sângerei, and Florești, were left without drinking water for several days following the pollution of the Dniester River with petroleum substances. The Dniester was polluted as a result of the Russian attack on the Dniester Hydropower Complex in Ukraine during the night of March 6 to 7, when the explosions caused discharges of technical oils and petroleum products into the water. Romania is providing a new batch of equipment and materials for the intervention on the Dniester.