Environmental Experts Discuss Critical Hydrological Situation in the Nistru River Basin

On October 9, 2026, a meeting of the Working Group on Ecology was held via videoconference at the initiative of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, with the participation of relevant experts from both banks of the Nistru.

The discussions during the meeting focused on identifying urgent solutions to counter the risks associated with the decline in the water level of the Nistru River and to mitigate the impact of the regional hydrological crisis. Particular attention was paid to coordinating the measures necessary to ensure the continuous supply of drinking water to the population, the safe operation of critical water intake and treatment infrastructure, as well as the protection of water resources and ecosystems within the river basin.

Experts from the Ministry of Environment, the Public Institution National Administration „Apele Moldovei”, the Environment Agency, the Environmental Protection Inspectorate, and the Public Institution „Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring” informed the representatives of Tiraspol about the measures being taken to manage the hydrological crisis situation, as well as the actions to be implemented to prevent and eliminate its consequences.

In this context, the aspects discussed related to the activities of the Commission on Sustainable Use and Protection of the Nistru River Basin, the operation of the Dubăsari Hydro-Power Hub, the regulated water discharge from upstream reservoirs, the hydrological monitoring of the river, as well as the details concerning the installation and operation of the new automatic hydrological monitoring equipment at the Dubăsari Dam.

Alongside this, the issue of reconstructing the wastewater treatment plant in the municipality of Bender was raised during the meeting. In this regard, the representatives of the Ministry of Environment pointed out the possibility of implementing this initiative in strict compliance with the provisions of national legislation, emphasizing that the project could be financed through the Convergence Fund, simultaneously with attracting additional financial assistance from external development partners.

The meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere, with the experts expressing their readiness to continue discussions on relevant sector-specific issues, intensify the exchange of information, and identify optimal solutions to the pressing challenges in the field of environmental protection.