The Chisinau territorial organisation of the Moldovan Environmental Movement (OTCMEM) is organising on April 26 a water Forum. The event is intended to contribute to solving the problems of water supply, protection and use of water resources of the Bic River, as well as to inform the population about the real state of affairs. OTCMEM chairman Vladimir Garaba told a news conference that the recent monitoring of Bic revealed the disastrous environmental situation. The data provided by the State Department of Hydrometeorology state that Bic is one of the most polluted rivers in Moldova, and Chisinau enterprises are directly responsible for the damage to both surface and underground water in the municipality. According to Garaba, in several Chisinau suburban localities the water of the wells is undrinkable, and in Tohatin, Cheltuitoru, Colonita and Bacioi drinking form wells should be completely forbidden. Nevertheless there is only 35% of the population aware of the risk mentioned above, while the other 65% are totally exposed. A series of problems regarding the surface and underground waters will be discussed during the Forum. The event is bringing together government officials, local authorities from Calarasi, Straseni, Ialoveni, Anenii Noi and Chisinau as well as international sponsors to finance projects on protection and use of water resources. Data from OTCMEM show that the main Moldovan rivers oscillate from the medium level of pollution (such rivers as Dniester, Prut) to the high level (Raut, Bac). The most part of underground water resources do not meet requirements and quality standards of the drinking water, being poisoned and highly mineralized. The majority of those living in rural areas drink water from springs and wells, sources that are 70-90% polluted with nitrates and pathogenic bacteria, etc. Although 17% of those living in the country do have access to tap water, rural places lack sewerage and wastewater treatment utilities.