​ONLY HALF OF MOLDOVAN POPULATION HAVE ACCESS TO SAFE POTABLE WATER

Only 56% of population has access to safe potable water, while only 761 thousand people beneficiate by the sanitation system. These data are mentioned in the Water Supply and Sanitation System Strategy till 2028, publicized in Monitorul Oficial Governmental Paper on Friday.

Document said that the Republic of Moldova water resources include 3621 rivers and 4261 lakes, as well as 4842 artesian chinks and 180 wells. The main rivers are Dniester (652 km length) and Prut (695 km). The largest lakes – Costesti-Stinca (59 square km) and Dubasari (67,5 square km).

With the global average water consumption of 1700 cubic meters per person, in the Republic of Moldova the water consumption level is three times smaller – 500 cubic meters per a citizen.

Economic recession led to a permanent pollution of rivers, lakes and underground water. The major source of pollution is human activity as dumping industrial waste, sewer system leakage.

The main sources of potable water in the countryside are shallow wells – from 10 to 50 meters, which make 85% from the total number. Almost 20% of villagers systematically fall ill of acute diarrhea and hepatitis due to potable water low quality.

In total, to the end of 2012, 742 water supply systems have been registered in the country, mainly in Chisinau and three municipia. However, only 38.7% of people use them, mostly in towns. The number of localities with water supply systems increased from 338 in 2008 to 378 in 2012.

The Strategy says that the water supply system modernization to the European level in 16 years will cost 705 million euros, 194 million of which must be invested till 2019.