Bulgarian ministers deny water crisis despite clear evidence

Experts from the Ministry of Regional Development (MRDPW) and Bulgarian Water and Sewerage Holding EAD (Bulgarian W&S holding) are on their way to Pleven to participate in the inspection of the water supply network. Meanwhile, an extraordinary meeting of the Environment and Water Committee was held in the National Assembly, dedicated to the water supply crisis in the country. Against the backdrop of data showing that nearly 261,000 people are on water restrictions, ministers and MPs engaged in a heated debate about the causes and necessary measures.

After voting on three bills proposed by different parties, the one proposed by the coalition partners GERB, BSP, “There Is Such a People” and “DPS - New Beginning” was adopted. It provides for the National Assembly to oblige the Council of Ministers to set up a “National Water Board”. Its aim is to coordinate actions to overcome the water crisis in 2025 and to work to prevent future crises. The board will include representatives of the relevant ministries, as well as the National Association of Municipalities and the Bulgarian Development Bank (BBB).

Ministers: There is no crisis, but there are long-standing problems

Environment and Water Minister Manol Genov presented a report stating that the country's dams are in good condition, with 65.4% capacity. He denied that there was a “critical water shortage,” but acknowledged that some areas suffer from low groundwater levels and dilapidated infrastructure.

For his part, Regional Minister Ivan Ivanov pointed out that the problems are due to reduced rainfall, unregulated water use, and, above all, huge losses from the outdated water supply network. He cited Pleven as an example, where losses reach 70-80%. The minister presented current data showing that 260,868 people living in 16 towns and 283 villages are affected by disrupted water supply.

Three draft decisions

Three draft decisions have been submitted by different parliamentary groups, all based on the report of the Temporary Commission on Water Shortages of the 51st National Assembly.

We would like to remind you that the work of this commission concluded with a report recommending the creation of a National Fund for the Improvement of Water Supply and Sewerage Infrastructure to finance projects for the construction and modernization of the network throughout the country. In addition, it proposed the creation of a single water resource management body with clearly defined powers and responsibilities, including in times of crisis and drought.

Representatives of the PP-DB asked why the report had not been submitted for consideration in the plenary hall before the MPs' vacation, and the chairman of the commission, Mladen Shishkov, stated that there were urgent bills that had to be passed. However, he reassured that the report would be submitted to the chamber at the beginning of September.

Draft decision of the PP-DB – provides for the report of the Temporary Commission to be sent to the Council of Ministers with a specific deadline of 30 days to start work. They call for express financing of completed water supply and sewerage projects and for updating the investment program of municipalities such as Pleven, where water supply and sewerage infrastructure projects have the lowest funding. According to Bogdan Bogdanov, “Pleven has no completed projects” and has twice rejected participation in the Water Cycle.

Draft resolution by Velichie, submitted by Krasimira Katincharova – also provides for the adoption of the report of the temporary commission and instructs the Council of Ministers to develop a National Action Plan. The proposers also suggest that the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Ministry of Regional Development update the subordinate legislation, which, according to Katincharova, resembles “Swiss cheese riddled with exceptions.”

However, these proposals were rejected by the Commission. With 12 votes in favor, 1 against, and 3 abstentions, the committee approved the draft proposed by the parliamentary groups of GERB-SDS, BSP, ITN, and DPS-New Start.

Translated with DeepL.