BUILDING MOLDOVA // Deputy PM says more than 95 per cent of Moldova’s settlements set to have access to tap water by 2030

More than 95 per cent of Moldova’s settlements are expected to have access to tap water by 2030, while 65 per cent are to benefit from sewerage services. This is an ambitious strategic goal assumed by the government. Deputy Prime Minister, Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Vladimir Bolea today made statements to this effect, during the Building Moldova event, dedicated to investments made through the Growth Plan for Moldova, supported by the European Union.

According to the official, the authorities plan to build trunk pipelines with a total length of approximately 697 kilometers.

“In the northern region, the reference point is the treatment plant in the city of Soroca and the construction of a trunk pipeline that will ensure the transportation of water to Donduseni and Ocnita. In addition, the trunk pipeline connecting Soroca and Balti will be used to interconnect the city of Drochia, so that residents can benefit from quality drinking water. In the south, a water intake station on the Dniester River and a treatment plant are planned, which will enable interconnection with the cities of Stefan Voda, Causeni and Cainari. Smaller pipelines will extend from these main trunk pipelines to the localities in the region. We also plan to extend the main water supply pipeline that currently connects the city of Cahul to Vulcanesti toward Cimislia, as well as to develop trunk pipelines toward the city of Basarabeasca. There are settlements around these routes that do not have access to drinking water,” Vladimir Bolea said.

The completion of these interconnections will provide access to water for approximately 700,000 citizens.

“This is an ambitious and very costly objective. However, given that the projects are included in the Growth Plan and that we have the support of our partners from the European Union, I am firmly convinced that we will succeed in implementing these initiatives, which are highly anticipated and important for the citizens of Moldova. The government is committed to ensuring that people benefit from the best possible conditions and access to water is one of the most important things we must guarantee to citizens,” Vladimir Bolea noted.

The Growth Plan for Moldova is a European Union financial support programme with a total value of 1.9 billion euros, aimed at accelerating economic development, modernizing infrastructure and supporting the reforms needed for the country’s European integration. Funding is conditional on the implementation of reforms undertaken by the authorities.

It has three main components: providing financial support, facilitating Moldovan companies’ access to the EU single market and supporting economic and institutional reforms. The package may finance, among other things, the modernization of roads and energy networks, the development of hospitals and schools, as well as support for businesses.