2015年-世界发展银行全球_Water_and_Wastewater_Services_in_the_Danube_Region___Moldova_Country_Note_16页_2mb

Summary of Moldova's Water and Sanitation Sector (May 2015)

Core Content

Moldova is a country in south-eastern Europe with a predominantly rural population, facing significant challenges in its water and sanitation sector. The sector is characterized by outdated infrastructure, limited financial resources, and issues related to affordability and service coverage.

Main Challenges

• Access to Services:

  • Piped Water Supply: 51% of the population has access to piped water, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas. Only 25% of rural settlements have piped water access, while 87% of urban areas do.
  • Sanitation: Only 35% of the population has access to flush toilets, and this is even lower in rural areas. Only 5% of rural residents are connected to wastewater collection systems, and none of the rural wastewater is treated.
  • Equity Issues: Roma households and the poorest 40% of the population have very limited access to water and sanitation. Only 27% of the bottom 40% have piped water, and 15% have flush toilets. The poorest 10% have access to piped water at 10% and flush toilets at 5%.

• Infrastructure and Quality:

  • The water and wastewater infrastructure is deteriorating, with many systems and pumping stations in poor condition.
  • Drinking water quality remains a major concern, with 10–14% of samples failing to meet microbiological standards. Poor water quality is linked to a significant proportion of health issues, including diarrheal diseases, viral hepatitis A, and fluorosis.
  • Wastewater treatment quality is also low, with no data indicating full compliance with BOD5 standards.

• Financing and Investment:

  • Over the next 15 years, €705 million will be needed to meet the goals of the New Water Strategy, which requires a fivefold increase in current investments.
  • The average residential water tariff is €0.85/m³, and affordability is a concern, as the average share of water and sanitation expenditures over income is nearly 5%.
  • The average annual investment per capita is €2, which is far below the Danube best practice of €23 per capita.

• Sector Governance:

  • The water sector is regulated by the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), which is responsible for tariff reviews.
  • The sector is managed through a fragmented institutional framework, with responsibilities spread across three ministries and one agency.
  • There is a trend toward regionalization, with the government aiming to develop regional operators for service delivery.

• Performance and Efficiency:

  • The Water Utility Performance Index (WUPI) in Moldova is 58, which is below the Danube average of 69 and best practice of 94.
  • Nonrevenue water is at 41%, which is still high compared to Danube best practice (5%).
  • Staff productivity is low, with an average of 13.3 employees per 1,000 connections in 2012, compared to 2.0 in best practice.
  • Billing collection rates are high (92% in 2012), but the sector still faces challenges in cost recovery and investment in efficient technologies.

Key Information

• Economic Context:

  • Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with a per capita GDP of US$4,669 (PPP).
  • The economy is largely based on agriculture, which accounts for 30% of GDP and 40% of employment.
  • The country is transitioning toward regionalization, which could improve service delivery and coordination.

• Water Resources:

  • Moldova has a total renewable water availability of 3,315 m³/cap/year, which is lower than the Danube average of 7,070 m³/cap/year.
  • Surface water is the main source for urban areas, while groundwater is used in rural areas.
  • Over 90% of wells exceed national drinking water standards in terms of chemical constituents, and over 80% have high E. Coli levels.

• Service Coverage:

  • Water and sanitation services are primarily provided by 52 municipally owned operators, serving 43% of the population.
  • The remaining 57% rely on self-provision, which is less reliable and sustainable.

• Future Reforms:

  • The New Water Strategy (2014–2028) aims to improve access to safe water and sanitation, and to regionalize water utilities.
  • The strategy also includes objectives for information provision and improving the water governance framework.

Further Resources

• Regional Reports:

  • Detailed reports on the state of the sector in the Danube Region are available at SoS.danubis.org.
  • A utility database for the Danube Region can be accessed at www.danubis.org/eng/utility-database.

• Moldova-Specific Documents:

  • Asociatia Moldova Apa-Canal (AMAC)
  • Moldova Water Utilities Development Program (Eptisa)
  • Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Water Supply Sources and WSS Systems (KPC)

Acknowledgments

This document is a product of the World Bank staff and external consultants. The views and conclusions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank or its Board of Executive Directors. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included.

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