VIDEO // Second protective boom set on Dniester; Moldovan environment minister says teams ready to intervene, if oil slicks appear

The authorities of Moldova are continuing interventions on the Dniester River, in order to limit the effects of pollution with oil substances, and in Soroca district, a second protective boom has been installed to capture any potential oil slicks that might reach the watercourse. The announcement was made by Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder made statements to this effect, on site together with the intervention teams.

According to the official, the works are taking place in the locality of Curesnita in Soroca district, where specialists of Moldova are working together with experts from Romania to install the necessary equipment for protection and capture of the pollutant.

“We are still here in Curesnita, in Soroca district, where together with our colleagues from Romania, we managed to install the second protective boom. According to estimates, the first oil slicks could reach this point in about three hours, and we are ready to absorb them,” said environment.

Continuous interventions to limit pollution

The minister specified that the intervention teams were working without interruption to monitor the evolution of the situation and to prevent the spread of pollution along the river. The authorities have mobilized specialists and equipment, in order to capture oil substances and reduce the impact on the environment.

According to Gheorghe Hajder, the installation of protective booms is one of the main measures applied to intercept possible oil slicks and prevent their spread downstream.

Cooperation with Romania in managing the situation

The intervention is being carried out in cooperation with specialists of Romania, who are participating in the setting of equipment and in managing operations to capture oil substances. Moldovan authorities have emphasized that this collaboration was essential for coping with the situation and for intervening quickly in areas where there is a risk of pollution.

Permanent monitoring of water quality

The environment minister gave assurances that the authorities were continuing the permanent monitoring of the water quality in the Dniester, and field teams are working around the clock to protect the population.

“We continue to work with our colleagues 24 hours a day, in order to reassure people and the population that the water from the Dniester is safe for consumption,” stated Gheorghe Hajder.

The authorities note that they will continue interventions and monitoring of the situation in the coming hours and will inform the population about how the situation evolves and about the measures adopted to protect the environment and water resources.

Prime Minister requested activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism

Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu today requested he activation of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

“Through this mechanism, we are requesting support from our European partners for the quick mobilization of specialists’ teams and the necessary equipment to manage the on-site situation. This refers to equipment for capturing, retaining and collecting petroleum impurities from the water, as well as mobile stations for testing water quality. This support is necessary, in order to strengthen the intervention capacities of the responsible institutions – the Environment Ministry, through the Environment Agency and Apele Moldovei (Moldova’s Waters), the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and the National Agency for Public Health – which are involved in monitoring and managing the situation,” said the prime minister.