Bicestii de Jos, Dumitresti Commune, Vrancea County – Starting today, the residents of Bicestii de Jos have continuous access to water following the completion of a 130-meter-deep borehole. The investment is designed to provide the community with water throughout the year, including during periods of drought, when local people were often forced to transport water by horse-drawn carts from other villages within the commune.
The investment was carried out under the “Water for All” project, implemented by ADRA Romania and fully funded by Ingka Investments, the company that manages more than 50,000 hectares of forest in Romania and consistently supports local communities in the areas where it operates.
The new water source addresses a long-standing challenge for the village, where existing sources became insufficient during dry periods, making access to water a constant struggle for many families.
“In recent years, the water shortage problem has become increasingly severe in Bicestii de Jos during the hottest summer months. The village is located at the end of the water supply network, and during drought periods people were left without water. We have many large families here who struggled to cope with these situations. This borehole is an enormous help for our community,” explained Adrian Barnaurs, Mayor of Dumitresti Commune.
An Investment for the Community
Against the backdrop of climate change and increasingly frequent drought episodes in eastern and south-eastern Romania, access to reliable water resources is becoming a priority for many rural communities. The new borehole built in Bicestii de Jos contributes to reducing residents’ vulnerability and increasing the village’s resilience in the face of these challenges.
“Water has become a luxury for us during periods of drought. This well is a great help – being able to come here to get water and have enough for washing and cooking,” explains Marioara Sorina, a local resident.
“I have three children at home. How can you look after them when you don’t have water? You need water all day, for everything you do,” said Mirel Dobrin, one of the local residents who came to collect water from the newly inaugurated well.
“From one summer to the next, we have had less and less water. When drought comes, we run out. Sometimes we have some money, sometimes we don’t. Now I’ve come here – it’s one minute away from my home. I fill a few containers and take the water home,” added Cristea Geanin Octavian, who used to carry water every day from the valley, several kilometres away from his home.
Continuity in a Partnership That Changes Lives
The project in Bicestii de Jos is not the first of its kind supported by Ingka Investments and ADRA in Vrancea County. In 2025, the two organizations contributed to the development of a water supply system for the village of Poenile, in Gura Calitei Commune, where nearly 300 residents gained easy access to water for the first time.
“The experience in Poenile demonstrated the significant impact that such investments can have on isolated communities. Reducing the time spent securing water, improving hygiene conditions and increasing quality of life were visible outcomes that we want to replicate in other communities as well. Just as in Poenile, the investment in Bicestii de Jos was driven by a clear need identified within the local community,” added Gabriela Istrate, ADRA Romania Project Manager.
“For rural communities affected by water shortages, access to a safe and reliable water source represents more than just a utility; it is an essential condition for a decent standard of living. At Ingka Investments, we make such projects a priority precisely because they have a direct impact on people’s everyday lives,” said Cristina Nica, Sustainability Leader at Ingka Investments.
Beyond forest management, the company supports projects that address people’s real needs, from access to water and education to social initiatives and local development.