The Republic of Moldova, as the Czech Republic, changed considerably its streams and the fluvial landscape, primarily following intensive agriculture and tree felling. Given the climate change, these changes result in floods and droughts. Nevertheless, the Czech Republic’s experience in combating river pollution shows the problems can be solved, Vlastimil Karlik, expert in conservation of the Czech NGOs “Arnika”, stated in a news conference at IPN.

In the Czech Republic, the fight against water pollution started in 1980, together with the adoption of ecofriendly activities. Another step was taken when the country entered the European Union.

According to the expert, the problem of pollution was solved by obliging any locality that has more than 2,000 inhabitants to build wastewater treatment stations. Fortunately, the country had access to European funds and most of these funds were used to solve the water quality problem. The EU Water Framework Directive is not only about the quality of water, but also about pollutants. The main task of this directive is to ensure the proper quality of water.

Vlastimil Karlik also said that the Czech Republic and Moldova have common problems due to the similarity of landscapes and agricultural structure. The problems related to wastewater necessitate funds that are larger than the capacities of communities. Also, the restoration of rivers is a long and costly process, but should start at least at small scale.

Doctor of biology Ilia Trombitski, executive director of the Eco-TIRAS International Environmental Association of River Keepers, said that given the climate change, we should learn together how to do the necessary changes in agriculture so as to reduce the damage caused by floods and droughts. Moldova should abide by the EU Water Framework Directive.

The EU Water Framework Directive that took effect in 2000. This creates a coherent legislative and political farmworker for all the problems related to water so as to ensure the ecological quality of all the European sources of water until 2027.

The nongovernmental organization “Arnika” of the Czech Republic and Eco-TIRAS of Moldova published a guidebook with practical advice as to how the interested persons can help the rivers.