Ukraine and Moldova have agreed to limit water discharge from the Dniester reservoir due to drought
Kyiv • UNN
Ukraine and Moldova have agreed to temporarily maintain water discharge from the Dniester hydroelectric complex at a level of 85 cubic meters per second. This is due to the critically low water level of the Dniester because of the drought in July 2026.
Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova have agreed to temporarily maintain water discharge from the Dniester complex hydroelectric hub at a level of 85 cubic meters per second due to the critically low water level of the Dniester. This was reported by the Ministry of Economy and Environment, writes UNN.
Details
The corresponding decision was made during an extraordinary meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Use and Protection of the Dniester River Basin.
According to the agreement, this regime will be in effect for two weeks with a forecasted inflow to the Dniester Reservoir at a level of 50-90 cubic meters per second. If the water inflow falls below 50 cubic meters per second or the hydrological situation worsens, the commission will hold a new extraordinary meeting to review the operating regime.
According to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center, July 2026 became one of the driest in recent years. The water content of most rivers in the Ukrainian part of the Dniester basin was only 10-40% of the norm, and the inflow to the Dniester Reservoir was about 21% of the long-term average. On July 8, the lowest daily inflow was recorded for the entire period of the reservoir's operation, and the forecast for August does not foresee a significant improvement in the situation.
In particular, during July, Ukraine maintained compensatory water discharges at a level of at least 100 cubic meters per second, which allowed Moldova to accumulate water in the Dubăsari Reservoir and ensure a stable water supply for Chișinău. At the same time, further maintenance of such a regime created risks for Ukrainian drinking water intakes and meeting the needs of domestic water users.
Currently, according to the State Water Agency, 92 water users in the Dniester basin have already had their special water use restricted.
We must ensure a balance between fulfilling international obligations and protecting the interests of Ukrainian communities and water users, because the water supply of Ukrainian settlements, enterprises, and the operation of water intakes depend on the water level in the Dniester
According to her, decisions regarding the operating regime of the Dniester Reservoir are made based on actual hydrological data, scientific forecasts, and in coordination with the Moldovan side.