The leakages of water in the municipality of Chisinau in the first quarter of this year diminished by about 20% compared with the corresponding period last year. Up to 30 accidents happen now daily in the water networks, as against 40 and even 50 the previous years, IPN reports, quoting a communiqué from SA Apa-Canal Chisinau.

Following the decline in the number of leakages, the water losses decreased by 11%. The number of accidents started to diminish in 2009, when the water charges were raised. The rapid intervention to deal with the faults in the water supply system is another positive indicator. The leakages are removed quicker, said the water supplier.

Over 80% of the total leakages happen in the steel pipes that are over 30 years old and should have been replaced 11 years ago.  

The Geographic Information System, implemented in separate water pipes sectors, enables to identify all the accidents. The investments made by the company in repair works this year totaled 103 million lei.

The water and sewer pipes in the municipality of Chisinau are over 2,800 km long. The cost of replacing a km of pipe varies depending on the diameter, amounting to 1.5 million lei on average. About 10% of the pipes should be substituted annually at a cost of 429.6 million. Apa-Canal Chisinau can yearly invest about 100 million lei from its own sources. Significant investments are needed to improve the situation.