Ecologists and hydrographers discuss new bill on efficient and sustainable use of water resources

The Water Code adopted in 1993 is outdated. A new law is needed with new regulations and approaches to water management. “For the first time, we will define the term ‘water bodies’ that has not been used until present,” Deputy Minister of the Environment Lazar Chirica said during public debates on a bill concerning the efficient and sustainable use of the water resources, Info-Prim Neo reports. The deputy minister said there will be introduced new principles of managing ponds, adapted to the European directives in the field. The participants in the discussions expressed optimism that the new mechanisms for rationally using and protecting the water resources will help solve the problems experienced in the area and preserve the water ecosystems. The necessity of adopting a new law is also dictated by the international commitments made by Moldova. The bill gives the state the exclusive right to own the underground and ground water resources. It contains 65 articles and was inspired by the similar laws of Romania, Russia and Ukraine.