There are three fountains in the Public Garden “Stephan the Great” of Chisinau. Two of these haven’t worked for over ten years. According to the authorities, these are under repair and the works cannot be finished because of shortage of funds.

Roman Sofroni, head of the Chisinau Capital Constructions Division, has told IPN that ten years ago the Division signed a contract with a contractor that was to execute the repair works, but this didn’t honor its obligations and the works weren’t completed. Therefore, the project to rehabilitate the two fountains was updated, but the works could not be resumed through lack of money. The project was submitted to the Chisinau Council for approval last year and this year too, but the necessary funding could not be raised.

According to Roman Sofroni, the expenditure estimate will be adjusted to the current prices and they will again apply for financing. Some of the works were performed on the two fountains ten years ago, but a part of them need to be done again given that they weren’t finished. If the necessary amounts are identified, the fountains will become operational in a year.

Contacted by IPN, the head of the Green Areas Association Eliferie Haruta said there are nine fountains managed by the municipality in Chisinau. These are located in parks and in the square of the National Opera House “Maria Biesu”. About 2 million lei is allocated annually for repairing these cosmetically and for maintaining them.

Eliferie Haruta also said that in the past there were switched on a number of fountains that are not managed by the municipality. Among these are the fountains situated in front of the National Palace “Nicolae Sulac” and near Chisinau Hotel.

According to Eliferie Haruta, it would be nice to have fountains on water in Chisinau, as in most of the countries. These could be built on the lakes of Chisinau, like that in “Valea Morilor” Park for example. A number of proposals were submitted, but they remain on paper yet.