Moldova has begun using strategic water reserves due to the shallowing of the Dniester River

Moldova has faced a critical shallowing of the Dniester River and has already started using water from a strategic reserve. Authorities warn that the situation could affect Chisinau’s water supply.

This is reported by the Moldovan publication ziar.md.

Moldovan Minister of Environmental Protection Gheorghe Haider said that the water level in the Novodniestrovskyi reservoir, which feeds the Dniester, has dropped to a critical level.

According to him, while last year the average water level was 117 meters, now it has dropped to 112.9 meters. Thus, the reservoir has lost more than four meters in a year.

The minister explained that the main reason was the lack of water coming from the tributaries. In recent days, about 30 cubic meters of water per second have been flowing into the reservoir, while approximately 85 cubic meters per second are being released to ensure water supply downstream.

It is because of this imbalance that the country began to use strategic water reserves.

At the same time, the government is already stepping up preparations for a possible worsening of the situation. In particular, the Apa-Canal Chisinau company has received four more motor pumps for water collection and transportation.

The Moldovan government also warned that further reductions in water discharge could affect the operation of the Vadul-lui-Vode water intake station, which supplies Chisinau with drinking water. To reduce the risks, an artificial dam has already been built near the station.

As a reminder, prolonged heat and drought continue to dry out Europe. Due to the critical drop in water levels in the Rhine, Danube, and Po, problems have already arisen with shipping, the operation of power plants, and industrial enterprises.