The government of Moldova approves the updated national Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy and associated Action Plan prepared with support from EUWI+
Birds flying, Moldovan landscape ©OIEau
On 1 July 2020, the Government of Moldova approved the updated national Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy and associated Action Plan on implementing this strategy in 2020-24. The package was prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment with support from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in the frame of the EU-funded European Union Water Initiative Plus (EUWI+).
Respective Government Decision #442 of 1st July 2020 will be effective from the date of its publication in the Official Monitor (Monitorul Official)
Government Decision #442 of 1st July 2020
A revision of the Water Supply and Sanitation Strategy was required to integrate Moldova’s new international commitments, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate, and to reflect developments in the sector over the last five years.
Improved living standards and environmental safety
Most of the population in Moldova lives in rural settlements, and many rely on water supplies from shallow wells which often do not meet national drinking water standards for microbial (e.g. Coli index) and chemical (e.g. nitrates) contamination. Moreover, ground water from some sources has a high concentration of fluoride (sometimes > 10 MAC) and other natural pollutants negatively impacting human health.
Contamination of water supply sources by wastewater discharges and leachate from agricultural and municipal waste storage landfills is also a serious issue. The mid-term Action Plan integrates several activities envisaged in the programme of measures aimed to achieve the national targets under the Protocol on Water and Health.
Implementation of the updated Strategy and Action Plan will generate multiple benefits for the people of Moldova, ranging from increased coverage of centralised water supply and sanitation and higher service quality to environmental (better wastewater treatment) and health benefits through better quality tap water.
Strengthening local capacity to invest in water supply and sanitation
The new Action Plan integrates various measures, from improving institutional and regulatory frameworks to strengthening local capacity to finance capital investment. Its implementation will be funded from domestic sources and by development partners active in the water sector in Moldova.