A group of 25 young people who went on an expedition along the Byk River determined that the river is dead, with no living things in it, at the exist from the municipality of Chisinau. They were surprised by the reaction of the Ministry of the Environment, which ignored them when they made approaches, asking that the river be saved.
In a news conference at IPN, Ina Coseru, head of the National Environment Center, told the journalists that the expedition was aimed at identifying the problems on the Byk and at promoting the necessity of protecting the environment. The young people walked 155 km in order to personally see the situation on the river.
Expedition member Dumitru Holban-Ulinici said the water in the Byk in Temeleuti village, where the river springs is excellent. There were found 13 species of macro-invertebrates, four of which are sensitive to pollution. In Bucovat village, the water was also of a high quality.
Elena Stavila said the water becomes dirtier closer to Chisinau municipality, where there are only several aquatic fauna species. At the exit yet, the river is dead and the pollution level is exceeded several dozen times.
Iuliana Cantaragiu, project expert at the National Environment Center, said the authorities know the situation, but do nothing to make sure that the legislation on environment protection is respected. Some companies signed contracts for the supply of water to settlements without pledging to remove or treat the wastewater.
Mihai Mustea, manager of environment policy programs at the Center, said that 10 years ago the Byk had fish in it and swimming there was possible. There were identified 52 cases of extreme pollution of the river. More than 150,000 liters of dirty water are poured out daily from the wastewater treatment station in Chisinau.
On September 29, the National Environment Center will stage the Festival of the Byk River in Temeleuti. The expedition was supported by the U.S. Embassy.
