VIDEO // Discharges from Novodnistrovsk Reservoir of Ukraine to be reduced in next two weeks over drought

The Dniester Commission has ruled to reduce, for the next two weeks, the volume of water discharged from the Novodnistrovsk reservoir, from 100 to 85 cubic meters per second, in the context of the accelerated decrease of water reserves caused by drought. Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder has made statements to this effect, after an extraordinary meeting held together with the Ukrainian side.

According to the minister, the participants in the meeting analyzed the hydrological situation, short- and medium-term forecasts, as well as the measures needed to manage the effects of the precipitation deficit on the Dniester basin.

“We agreed that, for the next two weeks, the discharges will be 85 m³/s, that is 15 m³/s less than at present. If the situation worsens, we will convene at any time for a new extraordinary meeting,” said Gheorghe Hajder.

The minister specified that the authorities would constantly monitor the evolution of the situation on the Dniester and would cooperate with water and sewerage operators, in order to ensure the operation of water intake stations even under reduced flow conditions.

Particular attention will be paid to the water intake station that supplies drinking water to the municipality of Chisinau, as well as other localities in the country.

According to the official, the water level in the Novodnistrovsk reservoir continues to fall rapidly, and the authorities are seeking to conserve the available reserves. At the same time, Ukraine has already introduced restrictions on the use of water for irrigation and other activities, with the exception of supplying the population with drinking water. Depending on how the situation evolves, the authorities of  Moldova could also come forward with additional recommendations.

The government of Moldova has established, for a period of 30 days, a hydrological alert status and an alert status in the energy sector, in order to prevent risks related to the supply of water and fuels. The measure was adopted in the context of drought and the reduction of water reserves in the Dniester basin.

A video of the announcement and discussions was published on the Ministry of Environment’s official Facebook page.