The Rîșcani Dam Reconstructed with the Support of the European Union
After more than half a century, the dam of the reservoir in the city of Rîșcani has been completely reconstructed. The works, worth over 2.9 million MDL, were carried out with the support of the European Union through the project ”EU4Moldova Resilience: Secure State, Resilient Communities”, implemented by Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova. The inauguration event was marked by a fishing competition, through which the locals celebrated the completion of the rehabilitation works.
The dam, built in 1971, had not undergone major repairs for more than 50 years and had reached an advanced state of deterioration. The lack of a functional water level control system endangered both the aquatic ecosystem and the households downstream.
“This dam has long been a source of concern for local authorities and residents. Now, this hydrotechnical structure becomes not only a functional infrastructure but also an element that beautifies our city,” said Denis Țurcanu, Deputy Mayor of Rîșcani.
The reconstruction works, carried out over seven months, included the repair of the sluice and water discharge systems, as well as the consolidation and cleaning of the concrete structure. This will significantly reduce the risk of flooding and protect nearby houses and infrastructure.
“The reconstruction of the Rîșcani dam brings long-term benefits to the entire community. It increases the safety of the population by reducing the risk of floods that could affect homes, roads, and agricultural land. Through this investment, we demonstrate that urban revitalization means not only modernizing infrastructure but also strengthening community resilience and improving people’s quality of life,” said Tomasz Horbowski, Country Director of Solidarity Fund PL in Moldova.
The reconstruction of the Rîșcani dam is one of five urban revitalization projects funded by the European Union through the ”EU4Moldova Resilience: Secure State, Resilient Communities” project. Similar investments have been carried out in the cities of Nisporeni, Ceadîr-Lunga, Cimișlia, and Hîncești.
“The Rîșcani dam is part of a broader effort by the European Union to support Moldovan towns in becoming safer and more resilient. Whether we speak about hydraulic infrastructure, modernised public spaces, or urban revitalisation projects, all these investments share a common goal – to improve people’s lives and protect local communities,” mentioned Iwona Piórko, the Ambassador of European Union to the Republic of Moldova.
The total budget for the renovation of the Rîșcani dam amounts to 2.9 million MDL, of which 2.6 million MDL was provided by the European Union and nearly 300,000 MDL by the local authorities.
