Most urban water mains do not meet sanitary standards

35 of the 53 urban water mains in Moldova do not meet sanitary standards, according to the Ministry of Health, Info-Prim Neo reports. Water sources across Moldova are distributed unevenly, the quality of water doesn’t meet sanitary standards and 45% of people don’t have access to improved drinking water supply networks. Groundwater contains a high percentage of unsafe substances. Water’s quality is damaged by urban, farming and industrial pollution sources through the discharge of significant quantities of sewer water and waste. According to estimations of the World Health Organization, quality water supply can yearly prevent 1,4 million deaths caused by children’s acute diarrhea, 500,000 caused by malaria and 860,000 by malnutrition. This year, the World Water Day's theme is “Water for Cities - Responding to the Urban Challenge” and should attract attention to the quality of water for health. March 22 is celebrated as World Water Day, according to an initiative launched in 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, at the UN Conference on Environment and Development.