Environment Minister Valeriu Munteanu and Czech Ambassador to Moldova Zdenek Krejci today signed a memorandum of understanding on rehabilitation of polluted lands in Lunga and Marculesti villages, Floresti district.

The project aims at cleaning up lands in the two settlements polluted with oil products. It sees the construction of pumping stations and treatment plants with equipment allowing to systematically monitoring the water in a large area. These measures will help prevent water contamination in the Raut river and improve environmental quality in the region.

“There are very important actions, due to which we will settle one of the most serious environmental problems in the country. Firstly, the residents of the two villages will have the opportunity to use quality water,” Munteanu said.

For his part, Krejci noted that the Czech Republic had experience in implementing such projects in other countries. He voiced hope for an efficient cooperation in Moldova as well.

The project, amounting to 650,000 euros, is funded by the Czech Development Agency. It will be carried out by a Czech company in partnership with the Moldovan Environment Ministry, and will be completed in 2018.

The cooperation with the Czech partners in Floresti district started in 2013, when the lands and water sources were located, as they were affected by harmful oil chemicals.