site.btaOver BGN 1 Bln to Be Invested in Bulgaria's Water and Sewerage Infrastructure

More than BGN 1 billion will be used for the construction and reconstruction of water and sewerage infrastructure in the country. The contracts under the procedure for the construction of water and sewerage infrastructure for seven water and sewerage operators under the Environment Programme 2021-2027 were signed by the Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov, the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov and the directors of the water and sewerage operators in Gabrovo, Pleven, Targovishte, Yovkovtsi - Veliko Tarnovo, Haskovo, Sofia region and Dobrich.

The value of the seven contracts is BGN 1,061,891,040, of which BGN 761,691,326 are grants and BGN 320,199,527 are co-financing provided as own contribution by the beneficiaries, with VAT included in the beneficiaries' contribution. The investments will take place in 21 agglomerations in the country served by the seven water and sewerage operators.

The construction and reconstruction of wastewater treatment facilities is foreseen in Ihtiman, Elin Pelin, Svilengrad, Balchik, Albena, Kavarna, Gorna Oryahovitsa - Lyaskovets.  The project is also expected to build or reconstruct drinking water treatment facilities in Yovkovtsi, Sevlievo, Targovishte, Svilengrad, Haskovo and Dimitrovgrad.   

This is extremely good progress, because recently both the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and the Ministry of Environment and Water have been criticised for the water shortages in the country, said Minister Genov before the signing of the contracts. He said the upcoming investment will reduce a large part of the losses in these operators. "Some of them, according to a report of the EWRC, have some of the biggest losses and we will be extremely strict in terms of control," Minister Genov added. 

"One of the main tasks is to solve the problems in the water and sewerage sector and the implementation of such an investment is important because the funds that the EU invests in our country are aimed at protecting the environment and reducing drinking water losses, which are one of the significant problems in our daily lives," said Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Ivanov. Minister Ivanov also pointed out that compliance with the implementation of the project will be extremely strict.