A bill that allows importing water ionizers at lower prices was introduced into Parliament. The ionizers are now brought into Moldova but in a small number and with high taxes or are smuggled into the country, bill sponsor Iulia Dascălu, PAS MP, has told IPN.

The combined nomenclature of goods does not include the position of ionizers. During the last three-four years, only 50 ionizers were imported into Moldova and a large part of these are in private sport halls, even if a number of state institutions asked for water or alkaline ionizers. When they are cleared, the ionizers are declared water filters on which a VAT rate of 20% is paid, plus other taxes that add up to 14%. This way, the ionizers are sold at prices that are at least 34% higher than in Romania.

The bill provides that the ionizers will be imported into Moldova with a VAT rate of 8%, plus 6% customs duties. This way, the taxes will constitute 14%, not 34% as now. The given appliances could be imported also by state institutions so that these reach schools, kindergartens and medical institutions, noted Iulia Dascălu.

Ruslan Klishtok, authorized international consultant on ionizers, in public hearings held in Parliament said that drinking water now represents less than 1% on Earth and this is a risk factor for the population. “We are born with 94% water and die with 60% water. Water carries nutrients to cells and helps the body remove toxins,” stated the consultant.

He noted that water in most of the springs and wells in Moldova does not meet the standards. The environmental impact of bottled water is 3,500 times higher than tap water, according to researchers at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. Over 17 million barrels of oil are needed to produce plastic containers to satisfy the annual water demand for 100,000 families. In the UK, for example, bottled water is 500 times more expensive than tap water, while in Moldova – 1,000 times. “We need a domestic tap water filtering system that would considerably reduce the risk of many health problems,” said Ruslan Klishtok.

Galina Tomaș, doctor of medical science, said it is much cheaper to invest in prophylactic measures than in the treatment of diseases. The utilization of ionized water is beneficial.

World Water Day is held annually on March 22.