Drinking water quality is a crucial determinant of public health, and the Republic of Moldova faces major challenges in ensuring safe water access. Analysis of official data and international reports reveals significant differences between centralised and decentralised sources: while in urban areas the rate of chemical non-compliance is around 8-10%, in rural areas more than 70% of samples exceed the admissible values. The main problematic indicators are nitrates, fluoride, water hardness, sodium, ammonium and iron, alongside microbiological contamination of wells. Excessive nitrate concentrations are associated with infant methemoglobinaemia and oncological risks, where as elevated fluoride levels cause dental and skeletal fluorosis. Although Law No. 182/2019 aligns the Republic of Moldova with European and WHO standards, the implementation of water safety plans and investment in rural infrastructure remain insufficient. Reducing territorial inequalities and adapting to climate change are key conditions for achieving water security in the country.
Bologan et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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