Consolidating the banks of the Bâc River via concreting negatively impacts its biodiversity, stated Elena Culighin, president of the National Environment Center, in an interview with RFE/RL’s Moldovan service.

Environmentalists are also critical of the practice of channeling rainwater from Chisinau into the river, as it “washes away everything in its path, creating an additional source of pollution that affects all forms of life in the river”.

“It’s quite an aggressive intervention. The intention is to strengthen the banks so that they do not break after heavy rains, but this negatively impacts biodiversity of this area”, says Elena Culighin. The municipal authorities claim these interventions are necessary to prevent the accumulation of silt, to ensure the transit of rainwater and prevent flooding, especially on Albișoara Street, near the Circus Bridge, which is periodically affected by heavy rains.

Elena Culighin added that Bâc’s water cannot be used in any way due to heavy pollution from Chisinau downstream. The main source of pollution is the discharge of untreated wastewater into the river. In her opinion, the government should toughen penalties for throwing industrial waste into the river to create adequate deterrence.

Two years ago, the bed of the Bâc river was cleaned of silt on a 2 km section, from the Mihai Viteazul Street Bridge to the mouth of the Țiganca stream.