Summer has barely begun, and hundreds of settlements in Southern Bulgaria are already facing a water crisis. In some villages, the water regime is a fact, in others it is imminent, and in the most severely affected there is no water transmission network at all. The reason is low groundwater levels, outdated infrastructure and unresolved water supply problems for decades.
In the village of Poroyna, Parvomay municipality, over 130 people are struggling with complete dehydration. Residents use century-old wells that no longer reach the aquifers, pointed out "Nova TV".
"The bucket doesn't reach the bottom – no water, no life", say locals. People bathe with a bucket of water, and they buy drinking water from the store – for over 20 leva. per week. Some fill water bottles from mineral springs in neighboring villages, after waiting for hours.
Families with small children rely on water carriers provided by the municipality, but they last no more than two days. Because of the crisis, many who decided to invest in houses in the village are giving up, and even the deputy mayor is selling his property.
The municipality of Parvomay already has a water supply project, but the first test drilling shows elevated values of natural uranium. Secondary tests are expected, but there is no real solution to the problem yet.
In another large village - Iskra, with a population of nearly 2,000 people, a water regime is being introduced next week. In the upper part of the village, the taps will only run in the evening. Attempts have been made to drill new holes, but they have also been unsuccessful. The only hope remains the connection to a water source in the village of Cherven, Asenovgrad region.
The local dams are only 50-60% full. The Water and Sewerage Department – Panagyurishte calls on residents to save water and use it only for household needs, and not for washing cars and watering.
The water crisis is a fact – and it is getting worse every year. There are solutions, but they are in the future. In the meantime, people are bathing with one bucket at a time and praying for rain.