The quality and quantity of the Prut River’s water have significantly decreased in recent years, and the current flow of the river is insufficient to cover consumption needs, irrigation, and biodiversity maintenance. The statement belongs to the director of EcoContact, Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov, and was made during the public debate “The Prut River today: Environmental situation and influencing factors”, organized by the IPN Press Agency. According to her, the reduction of water resources represents a major risk for both the environment and the population.
Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov emphasized that the Prut River plays a strategic role for the Republic of Moldova, being one of the main sources of drinking water for citizens and a significant resource for agriculture. At the same time, the decrease in flow affects the river’s ability to support the region’s biodiversity.
“The Prut River is a main artery for providing citizens with drinking water. Also, the river plays a significant role in providing water for irrigation. The quality and quantity of the Prut River’s water have considerably decreased in recent years. The amount of water in the Prut River is 30 cubic meters per second. For the development of biodiversity, for using the water in agriculture, and also for drinking purposes, this volume is very small”, said the director of EcoContact.
Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov pointed out that one of the main causes of the situation’s degradation is the massive deforestation of the forests in the states crossed by the Prut river. At the same time, the former Minister of the Environment specified that the uncontrolled use of water resources by economic agents and farmers exacerbates the problem.
“This issue is caused by the fact that forests have been cut down, both on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, and on the territory of Romania and Ukraine. Another factor is the irrational and uncontrolled use of water by various companies and farmers. There must be clear monitoring of the amounts of water used. There must be meters to account for the amounts of water used,” stated Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov.
The public debate on the topic: “The Prut River today: Environmental situation and influencing factors”, is organized by the IPN Press Agency within the project “Green justice for a protected environment and sustainable communities in the Republic of Moldova”, implemented by AO EcoContact, with the support of Sweden.
