site.btaWater Prices Rise by Up to 9.26% across Bulgaria in January

December 17 (BTA) - Water prices are likely to rise
across Bulgaria by up to 9.26 per cent from January. The Energy
and Water Regulatory Commission will approve the prices of water
 at a closed-door meeting on December 23, its Chairman Ivan
Ivanov said on Tuesday.

The regulator Tuesday considered a report which plans the lowest
 price hike, 0.1 per cent, for Bulgaria's largest city of
Plovdiv. The largest increase, by 9.26 per cent, is proposed for
 the southern town of Kurdjali. The price rise envisaged for the
 capital Sofia is 6.64 per cent.

The proposed price hike for the western town of Pernik, where
water is rationed due to a severe shortage, is 3.29 per cent.

The water and sewerage companies in four regions - Haskovo,
Turgovishte, Kyustendil and Pazardjik - have not approved
business plans and prices there will not  increase.

Razgrad Region is the only one where the price of water will be
reduced. NV/DD