Moldova allocates high-capacity water pumps to secure capital supply
Moldova’s National Crisis Management Center approved the release of three high-capacity water pumps from state reserves on 2 October, securing Chișinău's critical water supply from the drought-hit Dniester River.
The government decision follows an urgent appeal submitted on 1 October by municipal water utility Apă-Canal Chișinău, amid persistent water deficits across national river basins.
“The decision responds to an emergency request submitted by Apă-Canal Chișinău on 1 October, amid the hydrological deficit on the Dniester River and the ongoing state of emergency,” said government spokesperson Dumitru Ciorici.
Drought pressures municipal infrastructure
The allocation marks the central government's second intervention this season. In August, authorities released five emergency pumping units with a combined capacity of 5,200 cubic metres per hour.
Chișinău Mayor Ion Ceban had formally requested additional pumping equipment on 30 September to prevent water disruptions in the capital.
Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder stated that the Dniester's current flow remains sufficient to meet capital consumption, emphasizing that the primary bottleneck stems from the technical capacity of the municipal intake station.
Chișinău consumes approximately 170,000 to 200,000 cubic metres of water daily—equating to two cubic metres per second—while river flow currently stands at 33 cubic metres per second.
Moldova entered a 60-day nationwide state of emergency across its energy and hydrological sectors on 26 September, introducing targeted conservation measures to safeguard essential services.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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