EUWI+ supports River basin management plan FOR THE - AND BLACK SEA RIVER BASIN DISTRICT In the Republic of

implemented by Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

European Union Water Initiative for the Eastern Partnership EUWI+  European Water Framework Directive, an supports Water Policy Reforms innovative approach to water protection to improve Water Resources Management  Water resource management through River with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) Basin Management Plans  Active participation of all players countries concerned, including NGOs and local ARMENIA AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC 6 GEORGIA REPUBLIC communities, in water management BELARUS MOLDOVA activities 10 river basin districts 30 million inhabitants

Blue text for more information http://www.euwipluseast.eu Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District

Danube-Prut and Black Sea RBD main river basins: Prut + Danube - Black 2 Sea

km2 total area = 24 rivers, 14,770 1 big reservoir, 2 large natural lakes

million inhabitants 1 (36.5% of national population)

agricultural land where 3.5% is 80% irrigated

1 hydro‐energetic complex © 2018, EUWI+ Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

Monitoring networks of the quality and Water Needs – Quantity & Quality quantity of surface and groundwater, as well as the frequency of observations should be million m3 abstracted per year revised in accordance with the rules and 33.7 regulations of the EU Water Framework from surface water sources: 40% Directive from groundwater sources: 60%

water leaks from drinking water supply distribution networks: up to 35%

water quality monitoring sites are of good quality, but all water resources are not 12% sufficiently monitored

communities supplied with drinking water 50% by Moldova "Apă-Canal" Association. Others are self-supplied Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

Water abstraction

69.9% of total volume of water collected is used in agriculture

17.2 MDL is the average price per 1 m3 of drinking water

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Pressures - Pollution

63% Urban waste water is not collected or treated

Agriculture is the main source of diffuse pollution in the district

An excessive number of unauthorised landfills pollute the waters Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

Point Sources of Pollution

657 settlements, including 23 cities and 634 villages 60 centralised wastewater discharge systems 48 wastewater treatment plants

7 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

Diffuse Sources of Pollution

of land is used for agriculture, 80% of which 57.7% arable land

of mineral fertilizers were applied for one ha of 65 kg arable land in 2017

729,400 total weight of waste generated by the end of 2017 tonnes

8 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

Hydromorphological alterations

total number of water 2,852 impoundments (ponds and reservoirs)

total length of the dyke system, of which 51% is 365 km along the Prut river

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Surface Water Monitoring

Hydrological (quantity) monitoring sites: 1 on Costești-Stânca Lake, 12 on the rivers (3 on the Prut, the other 9 on the rivers Vilia, Draghiște, Ciuhur, Căldărușa, Delia, Salcia, 13 Lunga – Ciadîr-Lunga, Lunga – Taraclia and Cogâlnic)

surface water quality monitoring stations: 58 9 locations on the Prut River (main course), 4 artificial lakes, 2 natural lakes and 43 on the tributaries

10 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

Groundwater Monitoring

monitoring stations installed in unconfined and artesian aquifers used for routine observations of 64 quantity

11 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova Protected Areas

Protection areas related to drinking water abstraction

In the DPBS RBD there are 12 surface water abstraction points and 137 water wells

12 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

Protected Areas

Areas for the protection of economically important aquatic species

Within DPBS RBD, economically valuable fish species have been identified on the Costeşti- Stânca reservoir and the Lower Prut River (from the town of Cahul)

13 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova Protected Areas

Protected areas for habitats and species where water is an important factor

Following the field inventory, three sites with this status along the Prut River were identified: 1. Costesti Reservoir - 7 species according to Annex I of the Birds Directive 2. The Scientific Reserve "Padurea Domneasca " - 22 species 3. The Lower Prut (complex of natural lakes Manta and Beleu) - 23 species

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Protected Areas

Sensitive areas for nutrients

Sensitive areas are surface water bodies where it is possible to prove the impact of urban wastewater on the increased nitrates load. Due to the fact that most localities do not have wastewater treatment plants that meet EU requirements the entire DPBS RBD is temporally declared as a nutrient-sensitive area.

15 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova Protected Areas

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

This designation was based on monitoring data for surface water quality (for 2012-2018) and data regarding the monitoring of groundwater (for 2006-2016). According to the data analysis results, the threshold of 50 mg/l NO3 concentration has not yet been reached in the surface waters or groundwater aquifers. Closest concentrations to the threshold (about 41% of the country) are recorded in Holocene alluvial-deluvial aquifer (phreatic).

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Protected Areas

Bathing areas

Bathing areas are designated where bathing is regulated by the National Agency for Public Health (NAPH), based on the quality of water resources, the infrastructure and services provided, and other measures taken to encourage bathing, including tourist promotional measures. Within the DPBS RBD only one area meets the requirements for bathing areas - the Costesti-Stinca reservoir.

17 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES

Environmental objectives for surface waters

Out of the 128 surface water bodies, 125 are at risk of not meeting the environmental objective at the end of the 2022-2027 management cycle. A time exemption will therefore be required from achieving the environmental objectives for 2 extra cycles so up to 2039 at the latest. The objective is thus to take ambitious measures today to fully restore good status in Moldovan rivers in under 20 years.

18 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES Environmental objectives for groundwater

Name of the aquifer or Nr. Index Code Environmental objectives horizon 1 aA3 MDDBSGWQ120 prevention or limitation the input of pollutants Holocen alluvial-diluvial 2 aA3 MDPRTGWQ130 prevention or limitation the input of pollutants 3 aA1+2-aN22+3 MDDBSGWQ220 prevention or limitation the input of pollutants Pliocene-Pleistocene 4 aA1+2-aN22+3 MDPRTGWQ230 prevention or limitation the input of pollutants 5 Pontian N2p MDDPBGWD310 protection, improvement and restoration Upper Sarmatian - ensure a balance between abstraction and 6 N1s3-m MDDPBGWD420 Maeotian recharge Middle Sarmatian, 7 sandy and clay N1s2 kd1-2 MDPRTGWQ510 protection, improvement and restoration formations Middle Sarmatian ensure a balance between abstraction and 8 N1s2 MDDPBGWD620 (Congerian) recharge ensure a balance between abstraction and 9 N1b-s1-2 MDDPBGWD730 recharge Badenian-Sarmatian ensure a balance between abstraction and 10 N1b-s1 MDPRTGWD740 recharge ensure a balance between abstraction and 11 Cretaceous-Silurian K2+S MDPRTGWD820 recharge 19 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF WATER USE

The average tariff for water supply services in the DPBS RBD over a decade is 14.6 MDL/m3, but was 17.2 MDL (€ 0.87)/m3 in 2018, which exceeds the general average of AMAC companies in the country at 1.5 MDL/m3. The increase in the general tariff for water supply services is on average 71% (from 10.1 MDL/m3 in 2007 to 17.2 MDL/m3 in 2018) and 43% in Euro equivalent

Unlike water supply tariffs, the tariffs for wastewater evacuation and purification do not only reflect the costs related to the operation of these systems but also a significant part of the ecological costs. Therefore, the tariff for sewerage and treatment services must necessarily include environmental damage or loss of ecosystem services by wastewater discharges into rivers. In addition, both tariffs constitute the "price of water". The average tariff for sewerage services at AMAC companies in DPBS RBD is 14.0 MDL(€0.85)/m3 or ≈2.0 MDL/m3 higher than the average national tariff.

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Ratio between tariff and cost of water and sewerage services in DPBS RBD, in MDL/ m3 (2017) Water supply Sewerage and treatment Total Localities Difference Difference Difference Tariff Cost Tariff Cost Tariff Cost MDL € % MDL € % MDL € % 1 Ocniţa 18,4 26,2 -7,8 -0,39 70 17,1 22,1 -5 -0,25 77 35,5 48,3 -12,8 -0,64 73 2 Briceni 13,8 16,2 -2,4 -0,12 85 15,1 17,6 -2,5 -0,13 86 28,9 33,8 -4,9 -0,25 86 3 Edineț 23,7 27,1 -3,4 -0,17 87 28,6 20,1 8,5 0,43 142 52,3 47,2 5,1 0,26 111 4 Glodeni 18,9 22,3 -3,4 -0,17 85 22,6 28,7 -6,1 -0,31 79 41,5 51 -9,5 -0,48 81 5 Fălești 13,7 16,6 -2,9 -0,15 83 14,5 14,8 -0,3 -0,02 98 28,2 31,4 -3,2 -0,16 90 6 Ungheni 12,7 12,1 0,6 0,03 105 9,6 9,8 -0,2 -0,01 98 22,3 21,9 0,4 0,02 102 7 Nisporeni 18,1 19,6 -1,5 -0,08 92 18,1 20,6 -2,5 -0,13 88 36,2 40,2 -4,0 -0,20 90 8 Hâncești 23,5 28,5 -5 -0,25 82 14,4 15,6 -1,2 -0,06 92 37,9 44,1 -6,2 -0,31 86 9 Cimișlia 13,7 17,5 -3,8 -0,19 78 8,4 4,8 3,6 0,18 175 22,1 22,3 -0,2 -0,01 99 Basarabeasc 10 a 12,4 18,4 -6 -0,30 67 16,2 16,7 -0,5 -0,03 97 28,6 35,1 -6,5 -0,33 81 11 Leova 18,5 24,4 -5,9 -0,30 76 14,2 22 -7,8 -0,39 65 32,7 46,4 -13,7 -0,69 70 12 Cantemir 12,5 17,4 -4,9 -0,25 72 6,4 6,4 0 0 100 18,9 23,8 -4,9 -0,25 79 13 Cahul 13,8 15,4 -1,6 -0,08 90 9,8 10,9 -1,1 -0,06 90 23,6 26,3 -2,7 -0,14 90 14 Taraclia 15,9 17,1 -1,2 -0,06 93 17,3 19,1 -1,8 -0,09 91 33,2 36,2 -3 -0,15 92 15 Comrat 17,5 28,8 -11,3 -0,57 61 21,2 15,1 6,1 0,31 140 38,7 43,9 -5,2 -0,26 88 Ceadâr- 16 Lunga 18,5 27,7 -9,2 -0,46 67 17,2 28,3 -11,1 -0,56 61 35,7 56 -20,3 -1,02 64 17 Vulcănești 19,2 25,3 -6,1 -0,31 76 22,2 23,3 -1,1 -0,06 95 41,4 48,6 -7,2 -0,36 85 18 Ştefan-Vodă 18,4 25,4 -7 -0,35 72 14,1 18,1 -4 -0,20 78 32,5 43,5 -11 -0,55 75 DPBS RBD 16,8 21,4 -4,6 -0,23 79 15,9 17,4 -1,5 -0,08 91 32,8 38,9 -6,1 -0,31 84 AMAC 10,8 11,4 -0,6 -0,03 95 5,4 5,8 -0,4 -0,02 93 16,2 18,5 -2,3 -0,12 88 21 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova PROGRAMME OF MEASURES

Selected measures for point source pollution Type of measure No Basic measures No Supplementary measures . . 1. Construction of new wastewater 1. Construction (extension) and treatment plants modernisation of the stormwater sewerage system 2. Rehabilitation of wastewater 2. Control of wastewater in terms of its treatment plants impact on the environment (for example, low phosphorus detergents or removal of phosphates from detergents) 3. Modernisation of treatment 3. Introduction of an efficient tax system technologies in existing treatment for wastewater collection and plants treatment. 4. Construction of individual wastewater treatment systems for areas with low population density 5. Construction (extension) and modernisation of sewage systems 6. Control of industrial pollution sources (reducing pollution at source reduces the costs associated with treatment and produces environmental benefits) 7. Inventory action (control) by the Environmental Inspectorate of the sources of wastewater discharge in rivers 8. Implementation of the water resources monitoring programme 9. More rigorous controls by the 22 Environmental Inspectorate at the waste water disposal points Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

Selected measures for diffuse source pollution

Type of measure No. Basic measures No. Supplementary measures 1. Implementation of the code of good agricultural practices for 1. Promotion by non-governmental water protection against nitrate pollution from agricultural organisations of the code of good sources (regulating the use of fertilizers in agriculture) agricultural practices to reduce pollution 2. Delimitation of the riparian protection strips (according to the 2. Organisation of trainings on provisions of Law No. 440-XIII of 27.04.1995) and plant sustainable livestock breeding protection strips 3. Elaboration of rules / standards regarding optimal livestock size in relation to a certain area of pasture (in accordance with the EU Nitrates Directive (91/676 / CEE)) 4. Implementation of the Action Plan for Nitrate Vulnerable Areas (for Nitrate Vulnerable Areas delimited in accordance with the EU Nitrate Directive (91/676 / CEE)) 5. Implementation of the code of good agricultural practices for water protection against nitrate pollution from agricultural sources (regulating the use of fertilizers in agriculture and grazing) 6. Avoidance of grazing within the riparian water protection strips 7. Implementation of the programme for monitoring water resources (Environmental Agency) and controls carried out by the Environmental Inspectorate 23 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova Selected measures for hydromorphological pressures (alterations) Type of measure No. Basic measures No. Suplimentary measures 1. Establishment of ecological flow in rivers (e.g. 1. Development of technical regulations for controlled discharge from lakes and ponds of the flow the exploitation of aquatic basins required for optimum ecological conditions downstream) 2. Creation of optimal conditions for ensuring continuity of 2. Elaboration of a technical guide / the watercourse, especially for sediment transport normative act regarding the (management) management of clogged lakes / ponds 3. Improved continuity of sediment transportation through 3. Strengthening of the hydrological the proper management of the dams monitoring system 4. Removal of alluviums and regulation of sediment extraction 5. Clearance of clogged ponds / lakes 6. Improved status of aquatic and riparian habitats (re- naturalisation) 7. Support of hydraulic engineering measures for morphological restoration of the watercourse 8. Strengthening of the activity of the Environmental Inspectorate regarding the inspection of water bodies

24 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova Selected measures to reduce flood pressure Type of measures No. Basic measures No. Supplementary measures 1. Improvement of the status of protection 1. Provision of institutional support dams through technical assistance 2. Implementation of an early warning system 3. Creation and restoration of wetlands 4. Updating of normative acts in the field of floods

25 Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova Selected measures to reduce pressures caused by climate change

Type of measure N Basic measures N Supplementary measures o. o. 1. Restoration of flood areas and 1. Research to evaluate the current wetlands and possible effects of climate change on water bodies 2. Develop territorial flood risk 2. Competitive financing of target management and water balance programmes in research institutes restauration plans in priority areas to study the impact of climate change on different ecosystems and economic sectors 3. Promotion of adaptive agriculture 4. Afforestation (reforestation)

The selected measures include 52 actions(37 basic and 15 supplementary). The total cost of the measures selected for implementation is estimated at about 3 billion lei.

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The main water issues tackled by the programme of measures are: Health: safe drinking water

11% of the population has access to centralised systems for discharged and wastewater 11% treatment 50% of the population has access to centralised water supply systems 54.4% of samples exceed the maximum admissible concentrations for sanitary-chemical parameters

of samples exceed the maximum admissible concentrations of 20.2% the microbiological parameters

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The main water issues that the program of measures is tackling are: Water resources quality: reduce pollution

Improve drinking water supply and household wastewater discharge systems

Protect surface and ground waters from agriculture pollution sources

Ensure efficient use and prevent overuse of water resources by management & control

Assess the ecosystem ecological status by monitoring development Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

The main water issues that the program of measures is tackling are: Quantity: adapt to the growing occurrence of drought and floods linked to climate change

km3 / year is the average annual volume of surface water resources of which about 80% 3.39 represents the waters of the Prut river 25% decrease in the average flow of the Prut River over the last 7 years

3,479 m3 / day estimated total groundwater reserves 70% of all water needs are currently provided with groundwater sources

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The main water issues that the program of measures is tackling are: Ecosystems: to benefit from the services of an healthy environment 1.9% of the entire district is occupied by wetlands

wetland areaof international importance exists at the moment 1 (No. 1029 "Lower Prut Lakes”, especially as a habitat for aquatic birds)

potential wetland area of international importance exists at the moment 1 (“Pădurea Domnească”)

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The main water issues that the program of measures is tackling are: Governance for efficient water resources management

Establish norms for water use (prevention of overuse) Implement the Code of Good Agricultural Practice Save water: develop economic instrument for irrigation, reuse Invest in urban waster treatment Improve the monitoring programme Implement hydromorphological monitoring Develop territorial water balance restoration plans Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

River Basin management Plan in Republic of Moldova Republic of Moldova, as a country associated with the EU, has a responsibility to harmonise its water legislation according to the EU Water Framework Directive. EUWI+ supports the Moldavian Agency “Apele Moldovei” to elaborate and update A river basin management plan (RBMP) is an their river basin management plans with operative document including all information on water, water uses, pollution, objectives and  Latest EU methodologies programme of measures.  Accredited equipment for laboratories  Capacity building of experts and stakeholders  Knowledge transfer and regional exchange of practices Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

You are concerned too!  Who is consulted ? Second consultation on the . All players concerned, including NGOs and local communities, in water management main measures: activities.  DPBS RBMP involves, representatives from : June . Ministries, Consultation of the basin committee . Basin Management organisations, . Sub-basin committees, . Water users, 2020 . Environmental Agency, Consultation of sub-basin committees . Environmental Inspectorate, July . Public associations & NGOs, . Other beneficiaries Public participation and awareness rising  Why ? for planning investment and achieving 2020 long term environmental objectives. Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

Save the dates! River basin management plan timeline

August Consultation wrap up at the Basin 2020 committee meeting in Chisinau Draft RBMP

Mid-2020- Adoption process Main mid 2021 challenges Approved RBMP 2022-2027 Implementation of the 2nd plan Danube-Prut and Black Sea River Basin District Factsheet – Republic of Moldova

Action beneficiaries

Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Agency “Apele Moldovei” This project is funded by

This project is co-financed by

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This factsheet was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of International Office for Water, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.