Authorities declared an environmental alert for 15 days in the basin of the Dnister River. The Government of the Republic of Moldova unanimously approved the decision during an extraordinary meeting on Sunday after petroleum pollution continued to spread.
Alexandru Munteanu said the government took the decision after monitoring the situation over the past several days.
“Unfortunately, the pollution wave of petroleum products continues to move along the course of the Dniester River, and in some northern sections of the river the level of contaminants exceeds the permitted limits,” the prime minister stated.
According to the authorities, continuous monitoring of water quality through sampling and analysis at several points along the river shows fluctuating concentrations and elevated contamination levels, particularly in the northern part of the Dniester. Officials say urgent measures are required to contain and remove the petroleum substance and prevent contamination of water supply systems that rely on the river.
Authorities also reported that three new pollutant-absorption barriers were installed on Saturday along the river. A crisis management camp has been set up near the villages of Unguri and Arionesti, where military personnel and rescuers installed two barriers.
A third barrier was installed near the water intake station in Cosauti to help stop the spread of the contamination.