site.btaPublic Water Supply Losses Stand at 56.8% in 2016 - Statistics

Sofia, December 21 (BTA) - The total water losses in the public water supply sector in 2016 are estimated to be about 517 million cubic metres (cu m) or 56.8 per cent of the supplied water (57.9 per cent in 2015), which are mainly formed on the water supply network (real losses), show National Statistical Institute environmental statistics data for 2016, published Thursday.

The length of the newly built and rebuilt/replaced water supply network in 2016 is 603 km, while the total for the period 2010-2016 is 3,637 km. Most incoming and distribution pipelines were built before 1990 (86.5%), mainly from eternit and steel pipes.

About 8.3 per cent of the water used in the country is provided by the public water supply. The amount of water supplied in 2016 is 911 million cu m, or 0.8 per cent more than in 2015. The reported water consumption (billed or unbilled) has increased by 3.3 per cent compared to 2015, reaching 394 million cu m. The majority is for water supply to households - 65.4 per cent, for services - 11.1 per cent, and 13.8 per cent for industry. The unbilled water (for technological, fire safety and other purposes) accounts for 8.6 per cent of the total water consumption.

A total of 99.3 per cent of the population in the country is connected to the public water supply. Household water consumption in 2016 is estimated at 100 liters per day on average per person, compared to 99 litres in 2015. Water consumption in the Southwestern part of the country stands higher at 118 l/day/per capita.