The poor quality of the drinking water and the waste are environmental problems that persist in most of the Moldovan settlements and endanger the people’s health. The situation is worsened by the absence of state policies in the field and the people’s careless attitude. The subject was discussed in the Forum of Environmental NGOs of Moldova held on January 3 after a four-year pause, Info-Prim Neo reports. “In Falesti region, the quality of drinking water is very bad. The quantities of nitrates, ammoniac and fluorine are two or even three times higher than the norm. They negatively affect the people’s health,” said the chairman of the Falesti-based public association “Cutezatorul” Vitalie Cimpoie. During several years, the NGO has implemented a number of projects to improve the quality of water, including waste management projects, with the support of the EU. There were installed garbage bins and carried out awareness-raising activities. However, the Ministry of the Environment and the local public administration should involve to help solve this problem. Nicolae Grosu, head of the public association “Renastere” based in Talmaza, Stefan Voda, said the situation in villages is more difficult than in towns. “The drinking water for us is more expensive. There are many wells in rural areas, but the people forget to clean them. Everyone wants water supply systems. But the water is used irrationally. The pipes date from 1962 and often break. There is no water of a high quality,” said Nicolae Grosu. He also said that waste disposal is another problem. According to him, this problem can be solved by establishing partnerships between civil society and the local public authorities. The head of the Drochia-based cultural association “Ormax” Oleg Rotaru said the environmental NGOs and the Ministry of the Environment do not cooperate constructively. “The people drink polluted water. 80% of the water resources in villages are unsafe to drink,” he stated, adding an extensive program is needed to deal with this problem in rural areas. Attending the Forum, Minister of the Environment Gheorghe Salaru said the Government’s work program for 2011-2014 includes measures aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, reducing the negative impact of the economic activity on the environment and improving ecological education and culture. The last Forum of Environmental NGOs was held in 2006.