It is clear that action needs to be taken regarding the current state of global water and sanitation levels. The Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015 called for a substantial improvement in the infrastructure and distribution of water on a global scale.
Romania has suffered from widespread water and air pollution since the aftermath of World War II, most prominently in Prahova county, an oil-refining region which contains the 120 mile long Prahova River, connecting to several Romanian counties (Brașov, Ialomița, and Prahova) and posing a threat to them. In 2010, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested $221,060,000 into the modernization of water utilities in Romania, and as of 2015, 79.1% of Romanians had access to sanitation facilities. Thanks to EU funding, drinking water in Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary has become safer, but there are still areas where water from the public network does not comply with the 1998 EU Drinking Water Directive. Romania’s GDP as of 2019 is $243.698 billion, and has an economy based around services, so Romania is doing as much as it can to take part in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Romania encourages the sustained effort of prioritizing the health of its constituents, and the assurance of healthy drinking water worldwide.
Works Cited:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3652100276/SUIC?u=lom_royaloakschs&sid=SUIC&xid=c43fd3e7
https://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-drink/legislation_en.html
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A243281851/SCIC?u=lom_royaloakschs&sid=SCIC&xid=e2e09dc2
- Jack Merten
