site.btaEnvironment Ministry Urges Immediate Actions to Ensure Water Supply for Population

The Ministry of Environment and Water (MоЕW) Wednesday urged immediate actions to ensure water supply for the population and the fulfilment of the regulatory requirements for water supply and sewerage. The requirements mainly concern the reduction of water losses in the water network, the Ministry said in a press release.

As of August 9, 2024, water supply has been rationed in 51 municipalities out of a total of 265 municipalities in Bulgaria, including regional capitals Lovech and Pleven in northern Bulgaria. 

Ministry said that alternative water supply options need to be provided, including using new water sources and rehabilitation of old ones. A total of 14 reservoirs for water supply are managed by MoEW and they are 68.6% full.

Water is not rationed in any of the settlements using water from the MoEW-run reservoirs. Who manages the remaining reservoirs on the territory of the country depends on their purpose and may be the municipal mayor, Irrigation Systems EAD (under the Agriculture Ministry), NEK EAD (under the Energy Ministry), or the Management of Dams State Enterprise, the Ministry explains.

In July 2024, compared with July 2023, water volume in complex reservoirs decreased by 20%. As of August 13, 2024, there are 3,649.3 million cubic meters (55.8%) of water in complex and major dams.

Bulgaria has 51 "complex and major" reservoirs under the Water Act. 

In August 2024, the dams used for potable water supply are full at 68.6% of the total volume, when in 2023 they were full at 79,5%.

The low dam levels in Bulgaria are due to reduced inflow and long periods of drought in recent years. The trend of decreasing inflow has been observed for the third consecutive year, which is why MoEW alerted the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, Bulgarian Water and Sewerage Holding EAD and the water companies about the low levels of some of the reservoirs and the need to take the necessary actions to ensure water supply for the population.

Reservoirs with unusually low levels for this time of the year are Kamchia (the source of water supply for Varna, Burgas and other settlements on the Black Sea coast), Yasna Polyana (water source for Burgas and other settlements and resorts on the southern Black Sea coast and Burgas Region), Ticha (water source for Shumen, Veliki Preslav and Targovishte) and Asenovets (main water source for Sliven).