Today I submitted to the secretariat of the Council of Ministers a letter with specific measures that over the years we from VMRO – BND have systematically proposed to improve the Water and Sewerage sector in Bulgaria. In my capacity as Deputy Chairman of the PP “VMRO – Bulgarian National Movement“ with the portfolio “Regional Policy“ I am making several practical proposals that would support the work of the National Water Board.
- Creation of an expert council under the leadership of Bulgarian Water and Sewerage Holding. The aim is to conduct a rapid analysis of technical problems with the water supply networks by region and to identify urgent, urgent and medium-term measures to reduce water losses;
- Creation of a State Fund for Investments in the Water Supply Network. The aim of the fund is to finance projects of municipalities, water supply operators, state-owned enterprises for the replacement of water pipes in the areas with the greatest water losses;
- Major repairs of drinking water dams. By a decision of the Council of Ministers, the MRDPW will be assigned to update the projects for the construction of the Nikudin dams for the municipalities of Strumyani, Petrich, Sandanski, and the completion of the Rakochevitsa dam for the water supply of the municipalities of Blagoevgrad and Simitli within six months; the construction of the hydropower plant “Byala“, which will provide water supply to 41 settlements in the region of Sevlievo, Gabrovo and Dryanovo;
- Preparation and adoption of a ten-year plan for the development of drinking water supply. By decision of the Council of Ministers, an interdepartmental council shall be established between the MRDPW and the MEW to prepare an updated model for the development of drinking water supply by districts, which shall include estimated required quantities by municipalities and districts, analysis of existing and possible new water sources, calculation of the necessary supply infrastructure, treatment plants;
- Facilitated financing of municipal water supply projects. Bulgarian Development Bank to develop a program and rules for financing municipal projects for the replacement of water pipes and the construction of new water pipes.
These and other measures can be implemented, it is a matter of political will and decisions of the National Assembly and the Council of Ministers. Part of the funds can be included in the draft state budget for 2026, as long as there is a desire to work and solve important issues for citizens, the Deputy Chairman of VMRO Carlos Contrera is categorical in his position.
Full text of the proposal:
TO THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
PROPOSAL
by Carlos Contrera – Deputy Chairman of the PP „VMRO – Bulgarian National Movement“
gr. Sofia, 5 Pirotska St., e-mail: vmro@vmro.bg
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers,
I am addressing you in my capacity as Deputy Chairman of the PP „VMRO – Bulgarian National Movement“ with the portfolio „Regional Policy“, by making proposals to the executive branch to solve the deepening and escalating problem with water supply in Bulgaria. The established National Water Board under the Council of Ministers should identify measures to address the water crisis. Therefore, I propose a number of measures, repeatedly proposed by the PP „VMRO – Bulgarian National Movement“, to be considered and accepted for implementation.
Organizational-technical
Establishment of an expert council. VMRO – Bulgarian National Movement proposes to immediately proceed under the leadership of Bulgarian Water and Sewerage Holding to establish an expert council of chief engineers at all Water and Sewerage operators in the country. The goal is to conduct a rapid analysis of technical problems with Water and Sewerage networks by region and to identify urgent, urgent and medium-term measures to reduce water losses. The chief engineers of the Water and Sewerage operators are those technical experts who best know the specifics of the Water and Sewerage networks by municipality and can provide practical solutions that will lead to quick results. It is the chief engineers who have the knowledge and experience to propose specific solutions to be financed and implemented. This is an expert body, not a political one. The purpose of holding joint meetings is to create a mechanism for mutual assistance between water and sanitation operators on technical issues.
Establishment of a State Fund for Investments in the Water and Sewerage Network. Preparation of a draft decision of the Council of Ministers to establish a State Fund for Investments in the Water and Sewerage Network. The establishment of the fund should be regulated in a law, similar to the Road Safety Fund. It is appropriate to enact its establishment either in the Water Act or in the Water and Sewerage Services Price Regulation Act. The fund as a structure should be managed by a Council of Ministers, which should determine the management of the fund, adopt organizational regulations and rules for the operation of the fund. The purpose of the fund is to finance projects of municipalities, water and sewerage operators, state enterprises for the replacement of water mains in the areas with the greatest water losses. Annually, through this fund, the state, represented by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, can finance projects for the replacement of main water mains, major repairs of treatment and pumping stations, tanks and pumps, which would reduce water losses. The fund could be financed through the state budget, as well as from the fees received for water abstraction.
Major repairs of drinking water dams. By a decision of the Council of Ministers, the MRDPW should be assigned to update the projects, the bills of quantities and immediately announce procedures for major repairs of the Ogosta, Beli Iskar and Yovkovtsi dams. These three water bodies are key to the water supply of entire districts and have been waiting for repairs for years.
Design and construction of new dams for drinking water needs. By a decision of the Council of Ministers, the MRDPW should be assigned to update the projects for the construction of the Nikudin dams for the municipalities of Strumyani, Petrich, Sandanski, and to complete the Rakochevitsa dam for the water supply of the municipalities of Blagoevgrad and Simitli within six months; the construction of the hydropower plant “Byala“, which will provide water supply to 41 settlements in the region of Sevlievo, Gabrovo and Dryanovo. The projects should be reviewed by a national expert council, and then financed through the state budget.
Preparation and adoption of a ten-year plan for the development of drinking water supply. By decision of the Council of Ministers, an interdepartmental council should be established between the Ministry of Rural Development and Public Works and the Ministry of Environment and Water to prepare an updated model for the development of drinking water supply by districts, which should include estimated necessary quantities by municipalities and districts, analysis of existing and possible new water sources, calculation of the necessary supply infrastructure, treatment plants. The updated model should be presented by the end of 2026, including specific implementation measures.
These and other measures can be implemented, it is a matter of political will and decisions of the National Assembly and the Council of Ministers. Part of the funds can be allocated in the draft state budget for 2026, as long as there is a desire to work and solve important issues for citizens.
Facilitated financing of municipal water supply projects. The Bulgarian Development Bank to develop a program and rules for financing municipal projects for the replacement of water supply and construction of new water supply. The loans should be state-guaranteed with a fixed interest rate for the entire loan period.
Legislative measures
Adoption of a mechanism for providing cheap electricity for water supply and sanitation operators. The Council of Ministers should prepare and submit a bill amending and supplementing the Energy Act, by stipulating provisions for concluding long-term contracts at fixed prices between water supply and sanitation operators and NEK for cheap electricity. The goal is to create a mechanism for a permanent reduction in the operating costs of water supply and sanitation operators for electricity. The saved funds can be used for maintenance of the water supply networks and current repairs, without the need to increase the prices of water supply services.
Dear Mr. Prime Minister,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen Ministers,
These are some of the possible measures that the PP “VMRO – Bulgarian National Movement“ proposes to resolve the problems with water supply on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The problem with water supply will worsen if no measures are taken. It will not be solved by itself, regardless of whether the precipitation during the year is more, because a huge part of drinking water is lost along the route from the water source to the consumer. We are in a unique operational situation – in some areas water losses (physical and commercial) exceed 70-80%, which is practically a collapse of the water supply system.
23.09.2025. Respectfully:
City of Sofia