Expanding access to clean water and sanitation in rural Moldova
Building on 15 years of experience to improve decentralised water and sanitation in Moldova’s rural communities.
Many rural communities in Moldova lack reliable water supply and proper sanitation. Our “ApaSan28” project, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), addresses both challenges by expanding access to safe drinking water and piloting decentralised wastewater treatment solutions.
More than 50% of households lack access to a sewerage system and have little prospect of connecting to one. Through ApaSan28, SKAT is piloting decentralised sanitation solutions such as septic tanks – proven effective in other countries – to provide wastewater treatment at household level (combined with communal sludge treatment plants). This approach is scalable, cost-effective and sustainable.
Success goes beyond technical expertise and depends on homeowner commitment. Rather than waiting for government-led solutions, residents are encouraged to co-decide and co-finance their systems. SKAT facilitates this process while advocating for state support and improved legal frameworks for decentralised sanitation. By demonstrating viable alternatives, ApaSan28 empowers communities to actively shape their water and sanitation future.
