a road map for investors in moldovan high value agriculture

3.5 Irrigation
In Moldova, irrigation relies on the use of surface water (rivers, lakes and ponds). Because of generally
low quality drinking water, groundwater is a strategic resource and according to State Ecologic Service,
irrigation from groundwater (i.e. water wells) is forbidden. The problem of good quality water access has
pushed the Government to encourage cooperative irrigation through Water Users Association (WUA),
which makes irrigation more affordable. The rehabilitation of soviet-era centralized irrigation
infrastructure along Nistru and Prut Border Rivers through international donor projects (e.g. Millennium
Challenge COMPACT) is perceived as a long term solution for making irrigation less critical for
agriculture businesses. Presently, according to the new Law on Water, farmers can irrigate from surface
water only after receiving the authorization for special use of water. The cost of water depends how far or
close is the irrigated plot of land from the water pump station and the altitude at which water must be
pumped. The cost typically ranges from two to four lei per one cubic meter of water.
3.5.1 Obtain Irrigation Authorization
1) Make calculation of necessary volumes of water.
2) Submit water need calculations to “Apele Moldovei” State Agency (http://apelemoldovei.gov.md).
Receive an Acceptance NoticeAcceptance.
3) SubmitSubmit water samples to Public Health National Center (PHNC) local office (find local office
at: http://www.cnsp.md/info.php?id1=44&id2=0). Receive an Acceptance NoticeAcceptance.
4) Submit “Apele Moldovei” and PHNC Acceptance notices to State Ecology Service local office (find
local offices at: http://inseco.gov.md/despre-inspectorat/) and apply for an authorization for special
use of water (valid for 3 years). Receive the authorization for special use of water in no longer than
10 days.
References
1) Law on Water (to be published in the near future).
Where To Go
Institution Contacts
5, Gheorghe Tudor str., Chişinău, tel. 28-07-00, Fax: 28-08-22, e-
State Agency “Apele Moldovei”
mail: agentia_am@apele.gov.md, http://apelemoldovei.gov.md
67/a, Gh. Asachi str., Tel. 574-501, Fax. 729-725, e-mail:
Public Health National Center cnsp@cnsp.md, find local offices at:
http://www.cnsp.md/info.php?id1=44&id2=0
9, Cosmonautilor str., Chisinau, Tel. 22-69-41, Fax: 22-69-15,
State Ecology Service
ies@mediu.gov.md, find local offices at: http://inseco.gov.md/despreinspectorat/
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