Groundwater Resources of Moldova and Transboundary Impact

Abstract

In Moldova more than 95% of all drinking water for rural and urban settlements is drawn from groundwater sources and serves as the main source of drinking water for about 65% of the population. Moldovan citizens have witnessed significant deterioration of water supply services and a virtual cessation of wastewater treatment. The data show that 47% of the Moldovan population had no access to safe drinking water and 54.8% had no water piped to their households. The quality of surface and groundwater of the country in most cases does not reach the European and international standards. The transboundary impact is very important for the relations between Ukraine, Moldova and Romania and affects the socio-economic life of population. Problems such as the hydro-electric power station construction on the River Nistru, flow of waste-water, biodiversity of the River Nistru, use of water of the Nistru and Prut for irrigation affect Moldova and its neighbours and must be resolved by mutual consent. In this regard, the Moldovan Government has concluded bilateral agreements with Romania and Ukraine.