Safe and Clean Water
Moldova: Pilot Water Supply and Sanitation Project

• Overview
• Results
• Counterparts
• Task Team
• Learn More

After almost two decades of poor maintenance, the centralized water supply and sanitation systems in Moldova had severely deteriorated. About 10% of samples from urban water supplies were contaminated with coliforms, while running water was available for only 2 to 16 hours per day. The cost of operation was high, while collection rates were only 40-60 percent, placing severe pressure on the financial status of utilities.

In 2003, the Pilot Water Supply and Sanitation Project was launched to enhance the welfare of the population living in some of the poorest rural areas, as well as small and mid-size towns and cities, by improving the quality, efficiency and sustainability of water supply and sanitation services. The project is considered an example of best practice in producing real impact. It has laid the groundwork for scaling up financing and attracting other donors in resolving the sector’s challenging issues.

"We suffered so much, as we had no water in our home – we had to carry it from our neighbor’s well, so it was such a joy for the whole family when we were connected to the water pipeline. We called all our relatives to tell them that we have water and can wash our dishes easier, and now they are cleaner. I would like to thank the people for their efforts to provide such a support to simple people." —Maria Brega, Pensioner, City of Stefan Voda

"The day when the project objectives had been accomplished in the selected localities was a great day, not only for the people who implemented the project, but mostly for the people who are direct beneficiaries of the project outcomes – sustainable supply of good-quality water." —Aurelia Samson, Director, Project Implementation Unit

• 100 percent of water samples test negative for pathogens.
• Water service increased to 24 hours in four towns and 19 hours in the town of Stefan Voda.
• Five Moldovan towns with a total population of about 250,000 benefited from improved safety and sustainability of water supply and sanitation services.
• The energy used to supply water was reduced by 30 – 35 percent.
• The losses (non-revenue water) were reduced to a range between 35 and 54 percent.
• The length of water and sewerage pipes rehabilitated exceeded the targets on average by 1.5 times.
• Collections increased to an average of 95 -98 percent of billed amounts.

• First Deputy Prim Minister’s office
• Agency ‘Apele Moldovei’ (legal successor of Agency for Construction and Territorial Development; at project start the Ministry of Environment, Construction and Territorial Development)
• Project Implementation Unit within above line government agencies

• Current
• Mr. Takao Ikegami, TTL
• Mr. Sandu Ghidirim, Operations Officer, Moldova CO
• Mr. Klas Ringskog, Consultant
• Mr. Gurcharan Singh, Procurement
• Mr. Andrei Busuioc, Financial Specialist
• Ms. Delphine Hamilton

• At Project Start
• Ms. Seema Manghee, TTL at project start
• Mr. Sandu Ghidirim, Operations Officer, Moldova CO
• Mr. Klas Ringskog, Consultant
• Mr. Ahmet Gokce, Procurement (first years)
• Mr. Philip Moeller, Social Specialist
• Mr. Bogdan Constantinescu, Financial Specialist

• Orhei: Continuous Supply of Quality Water Thanks to the World Bank
• Pilot Water Supply & Sanitation Project