ANSP: Groundwater quality does not meet health standards

Chisinau, 19 June /MOLDPRES/- Water in more than 70 percent of the country's wells is not safe for consumption and does not meet sanitary standards, warn specialists of the National Agency for Public Health (ANSP). The situation may worsen after the recent heavy rains. To avoid health risks, doctors and ANSP specialists advise citizens to drink boiled or bottled water, clean and sanitize wells.

The recent heavy rains could affect the quality of water in wells, especially those located near garbage dumps, aquatic pools and toilets. Ina Sîrghi, a family doctor from Ghidighici, said that in order to avoid possible health problems, people who drink water from wells should at least for a period of time before it is checked in the laboratory, drink boiled or bottled water. Particular attention should be paid to minors. The doctor urges mothers with children not to consume well water for food preparation.

ANSP hygienist Liliana Carp said that following bad weather the water in wells should be checked and treated.

The results of monitoring the quality of drinking water from wells over the past few years show quite high levels of non-compliance in both chemical and microbiological parameters. This situation is characteristic of groundwater and is caused primarily by the lack of centralized sewage systems, the insalubrity of the localities, and the location of latrines, toilets and rubbish dumps in the immediate vicinity of wells. The most unfavorable water supply situation was recorded in Anenii Noi, Causeni, Fălești, Stefan Voda, Ungheni, Riscani, Hâncesti and Orhei districts.

The specialist noted that in the urban sector the situation is better, more than 97 percent of citizens have access to water supply, while in the rural sector about 43 percent of the inhabitants have tap water.

Statistics data show that the majority of the population in rural areas use water from wells.