The Republic of Moldova will continue to experience reduced water flow on the Dniester River for at least the next three weeks, although water supplies for the population will be maintained, Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder said after visiting the Novodnistrovsk Reservoir in Ukraine on August 4.
According to the minister, the outlook remains difficult as inflows into the reservoir are significantly lower than the volume of water currently being released downstream.
“The forecasts for the Novodnistrovsk Reservoir are worrying. As I mentioned, for at least another three weeks, the Republic of Moldova will face a water deficit on the Dniester. I want to emphasize that there will be water, but in much smaller quantities. The 85 cubic meters of water per second currently released into the Dniester is far greater than what is flowing into the reservoir, which is averaging only about 30 cubic meters per second.
We must understand that we are now drawing on the reservoir’s reserves and need to be prudent so that we can ensure water supply for the population for as long as possible. In the meantime, we hope there will be rainfall in the Carpathian region so that the situation can return to normal and river flow can reach at least 100 cubic meters per second,” Hajder said.
The minister stressed that Moldova is currently relying on the reservoir’s strategic reserves to maintain water supply.
His remarks follow an earlier warning issued on August 4, when he announced that water levels had dropped significantly and that the country had already begun using strategic reserves to ensure uninterrupted access to water for consumers.