Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu says the decline in the water level of the Dniester River during the drought period is a natural process. He explained to journalists that the river is fed by precipitation in the Carpathian Mountains and said authorities need to find solutions to ensure Chisinau’s water supply.
The Speaker explained that the capital could face water supply risks if the river level drops below the level of the water intake equipment. At the same time, he suggested that some of the opposition’s criticism was rooted in Russian propaganda narratives.
“It is something, how should I put it, natural — drought. There was no rain in the Carpathians. That reservoir depends on precipitation in the Carpathians. (…) Neither Mr. Hajder nor I knew that it would rain today or last night. Things are volatile. Our task is to prepare for the worst-case scenarios. Because otherwise people will say: ‘You wanted to, but you did not know,’” Igor Grosu said.
Last week, Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder warned that Chisinau could face a water shortage if the level of the Dniester River continues to fall. Later, he told journalists that there was a risk of the water level decreasing, but that residents would still have water. He subsequently clarified that a distinction must be made between the water level in the Dniester River and the water reaching consumers’ taps.
The minister’s statements triggered a public exchange of remarks with Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban, who later announced that he had sent a letter to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in this context.