CNMC decided to create joint crisis cell with specialists from national institutions and experts from neighboring countries in context of water pollution in Dniester

A joint crisis cell, made up of specialists from national institutions and experts from neighboring countries will be created to ensure a rapid and coordinated response in the event of discharges of petroleum products into the waters of the Dniester River. The decision was taken today by the National Crisis Management Center (CNMC).

At today’s CNMC meeting, extended measures were also established to assess and improve the technical measures for collecting pollutants, as well as for the continuous monitoring of water quality and pollutant levels.

At the same time, additional resources from state reserves will be prepared and used, when necessary, including intervention equipment and emergency stocks.

Another measure concerns the temporary adjustment of the water flow in the northern sectors to facilitate the capture of pollutants and, if necessary, the temporary suspension of water supply in certain areas.

CNMC continues to ensure close cooperation between institutions, permanent monitoring of the situation and rapid adjustment of interventions, so that the measures taken are effective and protect people and the environment, the institution announced.

“All decisions taken aim to protect the environment and ensure the safety of citizens. The activities of the institutions involved are carried out constantly and in a coordinated manner, with the Ministry of Environment as the main sectoral institution,” CNMC states.

The authorities of the Republic of Moldova announced today that they have raised the alert level in the northern part of the country, after laboratory tests indicated that the permissible limits of certain pollutants in the water of the Dniester River had been exceeded. The announcement was made by the Minister of Environment, Gheorghe Hajder, who stated that the situation is being continuously monitored, and additional measures are being implemented to protect the population. The problem arose after a petroleum substance coming from Ukraine, following a Russian attack on a hydropower plant, reached the waters of the Dniester and continues to move along the course of the river.