Republic of Moldova Adjusts Water Resource Management: Dniester River Discharge to Be Reduced Until the End of August

The water discharge into the Dniester River will be reduced from 85 m³/s to 75 m³/s, with the measure to remain in effect until the end of August.

The decision was adopted on August 11 by the Dniester Commission, amid the continued decline in water reserves.

Declining Water Levels at the Novodnistrovsk Reservoir

According to Environment Minister Gheorghe Hajder, monitoring conducted over the past several weeks indicates a steady decline in the volume of water in the Novodnistrovsk Reservoir. The situation is further aggravated by weather forecasts, which do not indicate sufficient precipitation over the next two months in the upper Dniester basin, including the Carpathian region.

The authorities say that reducing the discharge is necessary to conserve water reserves and extend the period for which they can be maintained.

Measures to Protect Water Reserves

Representatives of the Ministry of Environment stated that the reduction in the Dniester’s discharge has become inevitable under the current hydrological conditions. The authorities say the situation is being continuously monitored and that the necessary measures will be taken to ensure continued water supply and limit the impact on the population.

Water Levels Continue to Decline

The hydrological situation on the Dniester has deteriorated in recent weeks. Since the beginning of August, the water level in the Novodnistrovsk Reservoir has fallen by approximately 25 centimetres, reaching 112.76 metres. This is more than eight metres below the normal retention level of 121 metres.

Alert Declared in the Energy and Hydrological Sectors

Amid the worsening situation, the Government declared, on July 28, a state of alert in the energy and hydrological sectors for a period of 30 days. The measures are aimed at managing the risks associated with declining water resources and the potential impact on water supply and energy generation systems.