Stand up.BG demanded that, in the event that KEVR increases the price of water services, the Minister of Regional Development order the state-owned water and sewerage companies to freeze the price of water.
On Monday, 22.12, the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission is preparing to increase the prices of water and sewerage services in a number of districts at a closed session: Kardzhali - 13.2%, Blagoevgrad - 11.2%, Sofia-city - 9.26%, Ruse - 8.87%, Vratsa - 8.48%, Veliko Tarnovo - 8.32%, Gabrovo - 8.01%, Smolyan – 7.42%, Pleven – 6.85%, Varna – 6.18%, Haskovo – 5.12%, etc.
The civic platform Stand Up.BG, chaired by Maya Manolova, submitted a statement to the KEWR, categorically opposing the regulator's intention to raise prices for water and sewerage services from January 1, 2026.
“Such a drastic increase in prices is unfair given the situation in the country in recent months, marked by water shortages, disrupted water supply and water regimes in dozens of settlements“, said Maya Manolova.
Izprase.BG pointed out three main problems:
Price increase without quality improvement: The KEWR report states that 32 water and sewerage operators do not meet the performance indicators, with some of them being listed as “complete non-compliance“, and yet prices are rising. Price increase without reduction in water losses: Average total losses in the water supply network remain unchanged. Losses in 2024 amount to 60.25% compared to 61% in 2017. Price increase without transparency: The calculation of the increased price of water and sewerage services by the EWRC is made “official”, according to a formula that, in addition to inflation and social tolerance, also includes reporting data on the activities of water and sewerage companies. These data are not publicly announced in the EWRC report, which is why it is impossible for citizens to verify the reliability of the complex calculations that the Commission makes.For example, Manolova points to Pleven, where total water losses in 2015 were 59.96% (at a price of 2.08 leva), and according to the EWRC report for 2024 - 71.31% (at a new price of 5.37 leva - a 158% increase), and despite the water shortage and the increase in total losses, the planned increase from January 1, 2026 alone is 6.85%.
„How can it be explained to the citizens of Pleven, who have been without water for months, that the water they do not have will be increased by 6.85%. How will you explain to the citizens of Veliko Tarnovo, who protested against the water shortage, that the price of water is increasing by 8.32%? And how will the citizens of Haskovo, who have been receiving water that is unfit for drinking and domestic use for years, accept that an increase of 5.12% is coming?“ – Manolova asked the members of the EWRC.
The platform reminds that over the last decade, the “water reform“ has been expressed mostly in price increases: compared to 2015, the increase by 2026 reaches over 300% for gravity supply and about 200% for pumping, without seeing a commensurate effect on the quality and losses of water.
Stand up.BG called on the EWRC not to increase prices and not to justify itself with the current legal framework, which “obliges” The Commission should raise prices. On the contrary, the EWRC should initiate an analysis and changes in the legislation so that water and sewerage operators are stimulated to improve quality and reduce water losses, and not rely on an automatic increase in prices every year.
The Civic Platform insisted that the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, as the principal of the state water and sewerage operators and the water and sewerage holding, in case the EWRC accepts the increase - to order a freeze on water prices at the current levels.
„In the conditions of a drastic increase in the cost of living, an increase in the prices of food, basic necessities and medicines during the period of adopting the euro, a clear state policy is needed to protect the population, which should also include a freeze on household bills“ – Manolova was categorical.