Community project brings improved water to Antonesti village

More than 200 families in Antonesti village, Stefan Voda district, have gained permanent access to tap water thanks to a community project implemented by the villagers with the support of UNDP Moldova's Integrated Local Development Program (ILDP) and the Romanian Government. According to Mayor Anatolie Sarbu of Antonesti, the project is of real use to the community as it extended the water supply network by 8 kilometers. According to ILDP/UNDP project manager Alexandru Ursul, Antonesti is one of the five communities selected to receive this year grants from PNUD Moldova and the Romanian Government in order to expand its water supply system, because the village is located in one of the areas worst affected by last year's drought. Alexandru Baes, chairman of the water consumers' Association of Antonesti, says that prior to having centralized access to drinking water, the villagers used to take water from wells, which is of poor quality – it is considerably harder and, according to test results, nitrate concentrations in well water exceed standards by far, which impacts heavily on people's health. Antonina Procopiev, a villager, says that it was difficult for the senior members of the community to carry water from wells. “Now, I'm very pleased. My beans cook faster and my laundry is much cleaner now”, she says. ILDP/UNDP Moldova promotes sustainable local development through the mobilization of own resources, strengthening the capacity of local authorities, ensuring transparency and community participation throughout the implementation of such projects.