Chisinau's water supply system: from 200,000 buckets to 400,000 cubic meters of water a day

[{Info-Prim Neo interview with Constantin Becciev, director of Apa-Canal Chisinau}] [ – How did the modern water supply service appear and develop in Chisinau?] – The first segment of the water supply system in Chisinau was put into service on 12 December 1892. It had a capacity of 200,000 buckets of water per day. The water came from the foot of the Mazarache hill. The Water Plant was founded the same year. The first record about the fountain water supply in Chisinau dates to 1828, when the Town Duma (Council) adopted a decision to install the fountain and construct auxiliary structures. The works were finished in 1834. Currently, the Chisinau water and sewage system includes a complex of water supply networks with installations of collecting water from the Nistru River with a capacity of 384,900 square meters per day, a water-treatment plant, a wastewater cleaning plant, an underground pipe system with 137 fountains, of which 76 are in use and the rest are being preserved. The water is transported through a 1560 km long network. The pipes are made of steel, iron, reinforced concrete or polyethylene and have a maximum diameter of 1400 mm. Apa-Canal Chisinau provides drinking water, collects and treats wastewater within 24 hours to about 800,000 people. The sewerage network is 900 km long. [ – What projects did the enterprise develop in order to improve its services?] – The main task is to supply people, at a real price, with quality drinking water, to collect and treat wastewater according to national and international standards. In spring and summer, we changed the 50-year-old water supply and sewer network in the area of the streets Grigore Vieru, Ierusalim, Peru Movila and Mihai Eminescu and Stefan cel Mare Avenue. In order to repair all the old water supply and sewer systems, the company needs at least 30 million lei. This year, 10 million will be spent on renovation. In November 2010, the Durlesti wastewater treatment plant was closed, as it was obsolete technically, technologically and environmentally. Apa-Canal Chisinau has built a 570 meters long free-flow collector to which local buildings have been connected, a 640 meters long under-pressure collector and a wastewater pumping plant that directs the water to the Chisinau treatment plant and collectors. As a result of these works, several environmental problems of the town have been solved and the people can now enjoy quality services. Similar works have been carried out in Bubuieci. In the first half of 2011, Apa-Canal began the reconstruction of the pumping plant and the building of two collectors and a 11 km sewer network. The project's cost is estimated at 9 million lei and is covered by the International Financial Corporation, which has already signed a loan agreement with the Chisinau City Hall that is very advantageous for us. Last summer, we opened a wastewater treatment plant in the suburban village of Goian and the inhabitants of Goianul Nou have been connected to the municipal water network. In Novemeber 2010, Apa-Canal Chisinau took over the water supply and sewerage services in the suburban town of Stauceni. Thus, the municipal enterprise added Stauceni's 70 km network, 3 pumping plants and a treatment plant to its 2600 km water and sewerage network. The fees for the people in Stauceni dropped by 40%. We also have other projects, that will be implemented in the near future and will improve the quality of our services. The funding will be provided by the company's own budget, by the Chisinau City Hall and by the EU. [ – What's your message for the inhabitants of the city on the occasion of Chisinau Day?] – I bid them health, luck and prosperity. Let us contribute together to the flourishing and maintenance of our beautiful and beloved Chisinau. People can be confident that Apa-Canal Chisinau workers, citizens of the capital as well, will do their best to provide the necessary comfort. Happy birthday, Chisinau!