The question of quizzes or crossword puzzles "which capital stands on the Bull River" puts people in a difficult position. Many not only do not know the answer, but also have no idea that there is a river with that name. Nevertheless, it exists and flows in Chisinau - the capital of Moldova. Unfortunately, the river basin is currently considered an ecological disaster zone.
Bik River water area
This is the third largest river of all that flow through the territory of Moldova. Its length is 155 km. The bull originates from a slope in a picturesque beech area in the Calarasi region. Further, the upper course crosses the hilly landscape of the Strashensky district and rushes along the plain to the mouth, located within the boundaries of Novye Anen.
Near the villages of Bukovets and Floren, the right tributaries flow into the river: the rivers Bykovets and Ishnovets. In the Calarasi region, the Bull takes in another left tributary. Dams can be seen near the village of Temeleuti, as well as near the village of Peticeni. In the Strasheni region (near the village of Vatra) there is a large Chisinau (Gidigichi) reservoir, for the construction of whichthe riverbed was artificially turned.
Importance of the Byk River for the region
Cities such as Chisinau, Straseni and Calarasi stand on the banks of this reservoir. A large number of other settlements use the water of the river for industrial and drinking purposes, for irrigating fields. They say that if this is not the main river, then one of the most significant in the territory of Moldova.
The Ghidighi reservoir, built in the middle of the 20th century, is used as the main resting place near the capital. There are many vacationers, fishermen, lovers of water activities here in spring and summer.
The Bull River divides the capital into two halves, located on the right and left banks. They are connected by more than 20 road bridges and about the same number of pedestrian ones. Local historians believe that the first settlements in this area appeared in the 15th century only due to the presence of the Byk River.
Ecological situation from the source upwards
Only residents of Temeleuti village have the opportunity to use the clean water of the Bic River. Springs-sources are located on the territory of the water protection zone and are ringed with concrete sealed wells. Water can be drunk directly from the tap of the spring, it is very cold and clean. Further, the source flows in small streams, merging, along the picturesque beech thicket and forms its first backwater. Local residents irrigate vineyards and agricultural land with clean water. Fishermen boast good catches of crucian carp and bream.
The path of the Bic River continues through the valley to the village of Petychen, surrounded by magnificent green hills. This place also has a small lake with clear water.
The river valley expands in the flat area near the village of Calarasi. Then, slightly polluted water is poured into the Ghidighichi reservoir by sewage from villages. The tributaries of the river from Bukovets and Strashen flow into it, with an unpleasant color and smell.
More purified water comes out of the hydroelectric complex, transparent and clean enough. On the outskirts of the capital, the ecological state is relatively normal. There are no bad smells here and you can even meet some fishermen trying their luck in the river.
Standing on the Bull River…
What a terrible and depressing picture is drawn at the exit from the capital, it is difficult to convey in words. Ecologists have been sounding the alarm for a long time, they call the water "dead", fish do not survive in it for a long time. It turns out a vicious circle: residents irrigate fields and lands with such water, grow vegetables that are not environmentally safe, and eat them. Waste ends up in the river again.
The shores of the reservoir on the territory of the capital are very littered, tons of sewage are washed into it from sedimentation tanks, dirty streams flow from spontaneous car washes, toxic substances from enterprises also end up in the Byk River. From the capital, you can drive a few kilometers and see what is left of the river. In some places it is impossible even to stay for a long time from the feeling of a putrid smell, instead of clean water there is a fetid dirty green slurry. What a river…
Stands on the Bic River Chisinau, whose municipality absolutely does not care about a large-scale environmental disaster. The "dead" river carries its waters further east to the Dniester, flows into it and spreads towards the Black Sea.
Are there any prospects?
You can answer this question positively. But the efforts that must be made to save the reservoir must be joint. Here, directives from the administration are needed, attracting investors, and the attitude of the residents of the capital to the river is important. The truth is simple: you can't litter where you live. You need to take care, if not about yourself, then about future generations that will come after you. These are our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. To answer the question, "what capital stands on the river Bull?", the inhabitants of the region need to be proud, not ashamed.
Currently, environmentalists and volunteers are doing their best to draw attention to the problem. Since 2013, in the villages of Temeleuti and Peticeni, annual festivals "Let's Save the River" have been held. The organizers say that the most important thing to start with is to fall in love with it, the Bic River in the capital of Moldova.
