MP Vasile Costiuc, leader of the “Democratia Acasa” party, published a video from northern Moldova claiming that discharges were taking place on the Dniester River on Wednesday, June 10. He presented footage of filters installed on the river, reported unidentified patches with an unpleasant smell, and accused the authorities of concealing information.
“I have convinced myself that I was right. My operational information has been confirmed. I have direct questions for Minister Hajder and for the Prime Minister: what are these patches, what is this foul-smelling substance, and what are these filters on the Dniester?” Costiuc said.
Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder provided an explanation:
“I repeat, I never said that we had removed all the filters from the Dniester. Of course, we no longer have as many as we did at the beginning of the crisis, but we must remember that we faced an unprecedented pollution event when enormous quantities flowed into the Dniester. At that time, small amounts settled along the banks, in calm-water areas, or where vegetation exists. Today, because of fluctuations in the river’s water level, they are being washed away and carried downstream,” Hajder explained.
On March 23, the Environment Minister again announced the appearance of oil slicks on the Dniester River in northern Moldova, near the village of Unguri in Ocnita district.
It should be recalled that Moldovan authorities declared an environmental alert on March 15 for a period of 15 days in the Dniester River basin after detecting a wave of petroleum pollution that affected several sections of the river.
The petroleum substance was first observed on the water’s surface on March 10. Authorities immediately launched intervention measures and collected samples to determine its nature and the associated risks. As a result of the incident, consumers in Balti, Soroca, Singerei, and Floresti were left without water supply for several days.
Water supply was later restored on March 19, after Minister Hajder announced positive developments in the quality of the Dniester’s water following the critical period caused by the petroleum pollution.