Water shortages trigger emergency measures across Romania

Various regions in Romania are facing critical water shortages due to extreme heat and prolonged lack of precipitation. In Argeș County, the Stâlpeni commune has implemented a restricted water supply schedule for the village of Ogrezea. Residents are limited to water access between 06:00–09:00 and 19:00–22:00 to allow borehole reserves to recover. Local authorities have warned that if water levels continue to drop, supply to the villages of Oprești, Rădești, and Livezeni could be cut off entirely without notice. Citizens are urged to use water strictly for drinking and essential household needs, with bans on using public water for gardens, pools, or car washing.

In Copșa Mică, authorities are responding to a significant drop in water levels at the Ighiș reservoir. To ensure the city's water supply, the Local Committee for Emergency Situations, including representatives from ‘Apele Române’, has approved an emergency plan to pump water from the Târnava Mare river toward the Ighiș reservoir. This technical solution, supported by Mayor Nicolae Bogdan Tapalagă, involves closing the Copșa Mică dam to facilitate accumulation before pumping begins. While necessary, the operation carries technical risks, including potential damage to transport pipelines, and will incur additional costs.