site.btaResidents of Hadzhidimitrovo Holding Third Protest over Water Rationing in Village

Residents of the north-central village of Hadzhidimitrovo Saturday staged their third protest over the water rationing in their settlement. They blocked the road linking Banya and Pleven.

The latest rationing introduced is not resulting in what was intended: water reaching the highest parts of the village, BTA learned from local resident Marinela Droumeva, who organized the protest. Hadzhidimitrovo is divided into Usoyna and Pripek, with Usoyna having water on even dates and Pripek, on odd dates. Despite this rationing, the highest parts of the village have water for several hours a day only, Droumeva explained.

A state of emergency has been declared in the village. For two days now, the residents have been receiving 39.5 litres of bottled water per person.

Residents have held meetings with Svishtov Mayor Gencho Genchev and representatives of the local water and sewerage operator in Svishtov. However, they want to talk with the operator's CEO in Veliko Tarnovo. "During these two meetings, the Municipality and the operator were passing the buck to between themselves. Absolutely no one took measures adequate to the problem. That is why we will continue [protesting] until someone pays us attention and adequate measures are taken. We will not stop here," Droumeva said firmly.

The passengers in the cars during the road blockage expressed support for the protesters.

Some 500 people live in Hadzhidimitrovo, where the water rationing is year-round. According to protesters, the problem worsened after repair works of the supply pipeline. They insist on the project for the pipeline being completed; its construction began in the spring of 2024.