85 localities will gain access to safe drinking water as Belgium grants Moldova a €12 million loan
More than 55,000 residents of the Republic of Moldova will gain access to safe drinking water through a project that will install BOSAQ water kiosks in 85 localities across the country. The Parliament has ratified a loan agreement between the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, amounting to 12 million euros. This funding is intended for the implementation of the "Decentralized Drinking Water Supply" Project.
BOSAQ kiosks are modern water treatment systems that comply with European Union standards and have a production capacity of 500 liters per hour. They protect against contamination and ensure the distribution of safe drinking water to the population. A loan granted by Belgium has a repayment period of 30 years, which includes a 10-year grace period during which no interest is paid.
During the plenary session, the deputies approved a draft law declaring the public utility of national interest related to infrastructure development works within the "Security of Water Supply and Sanitation in Moldova" project.
The project aims to expand and rehabilitate drinking water infrastructure in the Cahul, Rîșcani, and Soroca districts. In Cahul, water networks will be extended to the city of Vulcănești. In Rîșcani, a regional water system and a water treatment plant are to be constructed. In Soroca, the sewage networks will be rehabilitated, and a new wastewater treatment plant, along with a sewage collector, will be built.
The works will be carried out on private land that has been declared of public utility, based on the new law.
The "Security of Water Supply and Sanitation in Moldova" project is being implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, with an expected completion date of January 31, 2027. The project's total budget is approximately 44.1 million euros, financed by a loan from the International Development Association and a grant from the Austrian Development Agency.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, 20% of the rural population and 10% of the urban population in Moldova lack access to clean drinking water or basic sanitation services.
