site.btaEnvironment Ministry Working on Easing Regimes on Water Use for Irrigation

Environment and Water Minister Manol Genov said here on Thursday that when he took office in January, he ordered the Water Management Directorate to change the regulatory conditions in order to shorten the procedure for permitting water use for irrigation. Genov was speaking at the 3rd National Meeting of Fruit and Vegetable Producers, organized by the National Branch Chamber of Fruit and Vegetables.

In Genov's words, there are many unnecessary documents. The irrigation maps date back to the 1980s, and the Agriculture and Food Ministry should update them, the Minister argued. Which lakes are considered big and which, medium-sized should be clearly defined, he noted. Genov expressed the hope that these formalities will be handled by the start of the irrigation season on April 1.

He underscored that the Environment Ministry wants to stop the water losses, which, according to him, are 60% in the water supply network and reach 90% in Irrigation Systems. 

He presented data that there are 6,800 dams in Bulgaria, of which 400 are municipal. In the past, they were built for irrigation, but due to scattered ownership they are now given for different purposes, mainly for fishing, the Minister said. The priorities in the State are that water is first for drinking, irrigation, and energy needs, and the fish resource is left further back. There is a need to regulate water management, Genov said and suggested that a water agency be set up under the Council of Ministers.