In Moldova there will be set up eight stations for monitoring the level of surface waters that will help the authorities to take immediate measures to prevent and combat floods, drought and desertification, IPN reports.

According to a communiqué from the Millennium Challenge Fund Moldova, the equipment worth about US$100,000 was purchased from the funds of the Compact Program. It includes level sensors (pressure and radar), equipment for measuring temperature, devices for registering and transmitting data in real time and equipment for making hydrological studies. The information collected by the equipment will be available to the employees of the State Hydrometeorological Service online.

Afterward, the Millennium Challenge Fund Moldova will buy computation equipment, hydrological modeling programs and Geographical Information Systems for the State Hydrometeorological Service and other institutions involved in managing water resources.

The water monitoring equipment will be installed in the following settlements: Naslavcea, Unguri, Soroca, Rezina, and Vadul lui Voda on the Nistru; Goian on the Ichel; Merenii Noi on the Byk, and Causeni on the Botna.

The improvement of water resources management is one of the objectives of the Compact Program that was signed by the Government of Moldova and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, in the name of the U.S. Government, at the start of 2010. The US$262 million program is implemented by the Millennium Challenge Fund Moldova.