Groundwater quality and rural drinking-water supplies in the Republic of Moldova

This paper describes the results of a groundwater quality assessment conduc ted in two pilot areas, Balatina and Carpineni. in the Republic of Moldova. Shallow groundwater is the main source of drinking water in rural areas, b ut reliable data on its quality are currently insufficient for developing r ural water-supply systems with standard designs. The main components of the study included a field sampling program (including pesticides), an evaluat ion of the reliability of existing drinking-water data, an analysis of land use and groundwater-pollution risks using GIS, and the formulation of reco mmendations to reduce risks for public health. Microbiological, nitrate, and selenium contamination are most serious in th e villages. These contaminants should be given priority in addressing drink ing-water aspects for rural water-supply development in the two pilot areas . Pollution occurs mainly due to poor sanitary conditions. In a few shallow wells, traces of selected pesticides were observed, but the effect of thes e levels of pesticides on public health is still unclear. Limited resources of shallow groundwater of good quality occur outside the villages. Additional pilot studies should be implemented to prove the techn ical and institutional feasibility of developing and protecting these resou rces.