VIDEO The Romanian National Water Administration demands the declaration of a state of emergency in Prahova, where tens of thousands of people have been left without drinking water. The situation could last three more days

The National Administration “Romanian Waters” announced, on Saturday evening, that the situation at the Paltinu dam, which ensures the drinking water supply of a large part of Prahova County, is “critical” after the recent rains, and this situation could be prolonged in the coming days. The institution announces urgent measures, including changing the filters at the dam, given that tens of thousands of people do not have drinking water. The institution asks the Prahova authorities to declare a state of emergency, according to News.ro.

“The sudden increases in flows, accompanied by extremely high turbidity, combined with the low levels in the lake – necessary for the bottom emptying works – have generated values that exceed the limits allowed for the treatment of raw water. For this reason, the water supply was temporarily interrupted in the localities supplied by the Voila Treatment Plant: Câmpina, Cornu, Breaza, Băneşti, Poiana Câmpina, Şotrile, Telega and Valea Doftanei”, announces “Apele Române”, on Saturday evening, through a press release.

The institution announces urgent technical measures at the Paltinu dam, showing that on Saturday the specialists intervened urgently to change the filters at the dam, the operation being an essential one for resuming the controlled evacuation of water.

“Following this intervention, it was possible to restart the processing with a flow of approx. 2 m³/s. The technical teams constantly monitor the very high levels of turbidity, in order to identify the moment when the raw water can be treated in the appropriate parameters. In parallel, the institutions convened at the headquarters of the Prefecture are working on technical solutions to allow the resumption of the water supply, as soon as the turbidity values decrease and the water can be treated in the Voila Station”, states the document quoted.

Until the resumption of drinking water supply, the water supplier Hidro Prahova ensures the distribution of drinking water from alternative sources in the affected localities.

“In today's repeated discussions with DSP Prahova, Romanian Waters insisted that the supply of water for household purposes, for domestic utilities, be resumed, considering that there are other similar cases in the country (for example, Curtea de Argeş, Praid). At the same time, we appeal to other water operators to support this initiative for the benefit of the population.

In this context, Apele Române requests the county authorities to take into account the recommendations of the institution, including by declaring an emergency situation, which would allow the approval of the distribution of water for household purposes in the affected localities until the situation normalizes, that is, until the water can be supplied in optimal potability parameters”, the officials of “Apele Române” also convey.

They estimate, based on the current data, that the resumption of drinking water supply will be possible “after at least 72 hours from the end of the rainfall, provided that the turbidity drops to the levels that allow water treatment in the Voila Treatment Plant”.

Tens of thousands of people without drinking water in 12 localities in Prahova

The supply of drinking water is completely stopped in the localities of Câmpina, Breaza, Băicoi, Adunati, Poiana Câmpina, Şotrile, Băneşti, Brebu, Telega, Vărbilău, Aluniş and partially in the Floreşti commune of Prahova county, the situation being classified as “critical” with a direct impact on tens of thousands of people.

“The rains of the last few days have generated a high level of alluvium, the turbidity has exceeded the permitted limits, and the installations have entered a technical blockage. These conditions make it impossible to treat the water to the parameters required by OG no. 7/2023 regarding the quality of water intended for human consumption,” the Prahova County Council reported on Saturday.

The Minister of the Environment, Diana Buzoianu, says that she learned directly from the mayors of Prahova and Dâmboviţa that several localities were left without water, “although both ESZ Prahova and ABA Buzău-Ialomița and the Hidroelectrica branch gave firm assurances to the Ministry of the Environment that the works on the Paltinu reservoir will be carried out without affecting the population”.

“The fact that tens of thousands of people were left without water is not just a technical problem, but a serious, unacceptable lack of professionalism,” the minister said in a message published on Saturday on the Facebook page.

She also says that delays, hiding of information or lack of communication will not be tolerated, because “people need drinking water, not justifications”.

“I will also send the Control Body of the Ministry of the Environment to check the way the situation was managed and to identify the persons responsible for this situation. Just a few days ago, all the authorities subordinated to the Ministry of the Environment, but also subordinated to the Ministry of Energy, gave assurances that they will not leave the community in that area without drinking water. Obviously, those who do not do their job correctly must answer,” emphasizes Diana Buzoianu.

The minister also says that he will return with information as soon as the technical solution begins to be implemented.