The Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring Authority issued an updated hydrological warning on Friday, 23 October, at 14.00, for the period 24–30 October. On the Prut, on the Costești–Brânza stretch, which runs through Ungheni, an orange code is in force: the flow will be 20-30% of the long-term monthly average.
The Prut at Ungheni has been below normal since at least August. On 21 August, the Authority gave 25-30% for the Ungheni–Brânza stretch (orange code) and 30% for Costești–Ungheni (yellow code). In its August report, along the whole stretch downstream of the Costești-Stânca reservoir, the flow was 25-35% of the average. Now the entire Costești–Brânza stretch is at 20-30%.
| When | Prut stretch | Flow, % of average | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 August | Costești–Ungheni | 30% | yellow |
| 21 August | Ungheni–Brânza | 25-30% | orange |
| August (monthly report) | downstream of the Costești-Stânca reservoir | 25-35% | – |
| 24–30 October | Costești–Brânza | 20-30% | orange |
The warning also says that the rain recorded and forecast will not cause significant changes to the situation.
How it came to this
Downstream of the Costești dam, the level of the Prut varies with how much water is released from the reservoir, according to the Authority’s monthly report for August. That month, the level of the Costești-Stânca reservoir fell by 1.60 metres, because more water was released than flowed in. Towards the end of the month, releases were cut from 42.0 to 27.0 cubic metres per second, and the water level on the Costești–Cantemir stretch dropped by 0.10-0.40 metres. Upstream of the reservoir, the flow in August was only 20% of the average.
Low flow on the Prut is not just this year’s story. In the September hydrological characteristics published by the Authority for the Șirăuți gauging station (1990–2025), 2023, 2024 and 2025 all appear among the low-flow years, below 60% of the long-term average: 51.7%, 38.4% and 42.0%.
What it means for Ungheni
The municipality’s tap water comes from the Prut: Apă-Canal Ungheni LLC draws it through an intake built in 1972 and treats it at the treatment plant, where pumps and pipes have been replaced since June. As of 24 October, the operator’s website carries no announcement of consumption restrictions; its October announcements concern network breakdowns, the replacement of a collector at the treatment plant and monthly water test results.
“We ask businesses and the population to use water resources rationally,” the warning says.
The Dniester is also under an orange code (20-30%). The small rivers Draghiște, Cubolta, Ciulucul Mic and Botna are under a red code, at 15% of the average, while the Vilia, Răut, Căinar, Ichel, Bâc and Lunga are under a yellow code, at 35%.
The warning may be updated depending on how conditions develop, the Authority says.