The new mechanisms for managing water resources from hydrographical reservoirs will contribute to the optimization of the measures taken to prevent the continuous deterioration, conserve, protect and restore the surface and underground waters. The mechanisms are stipulated in the new Water Law that will come into force on October 26 and will substitute the old Water Code adopted in 1993, IPN reports.
Minister of the Environment Gheorghe Salaru told a news conference that the implementation of the Water Law will enable to better know the available resources of water as the system for monitoring and managing data about the state of water will be improved. These provisions will contribute to the implementation of the reform of the irrigation sector.
According to the minister, the new law lays down new principles for managing the water resources, including the pollution principle, the principle of precaution and rational use of water resources.
Executive director of the Millennium Challenge Fund Valentina Badrajan said the new law extended the validity period of the environment authorization for the special use of water from three to 12 years. If the applicant pledges to make long-term investments in the construction, improvement or rehabilitation of a levee for example, the authorization can be extended to 25 years.
National coordinator of the Water Program of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova Andrei Cantemir said the water supply and sewerage sector will represent a priority for the Office over the next four years. For the purpose, the Swiss Cooperation Office will increase the budget allocated for such activities.
Currently, the underground waters are the main source of drinking water in Moldova. They provide water for 65% of the country’s population.
