Bulgaria is a very rich economic country. Compared to countries in Africa where there are no resources, we are in the club of the rich. At the same time, we are very reluctant to be a donor. I think we can be an investor in upgrading the global energy system. This was stated by the former Minister of the Environment Julian Popov in the program “ More from the day” according to BNT.
„Climatic changes in our region will be expressed in greater drought, but also in flash floods. The drought is not due to the fact that the rains stop, but that after that the torrents pour out sharply, he specified.
„As a result, the harvest will be much lower. Therefore, an irrigation system should be urgently considered. We must start using the waters of the Danube. Bulgaria is a country poor in water resources. Our main water resource is the Danube River – over 80%, but we are not taking advantage of it now”, reported the former eco-minister and recalled that there was a time when Sofia was on a water regime.
In his words, irrigation in the country must be urgently restored. “The irrigation system is the work of the Ministry of Agriculture. Water resources, such as drinking water, some of them are financed through the funds of the Ministry of Education and Culture, but they are the main activity of the water supply and sanitation and municipalities. We use an awful lot of water in the water system. There are cases of water losses of over 90%. This crisis is bordering on a threat to national security”, Julian Popov warned.
„There are funds, but they are managed inadequately. It is very important that investments in the water network are invoiced in the right way. The price of water should increase. The price of water in Bulgaria is low. Money cannot automatically turn into water – investment must be made in infrastructure, which investment must be well monitored and must be focused on the effectiveness of that delivery. All water utilities must install regional water meters to know where the water is flowing. This is not a very expensive investment," emphasized the former Minister of the Environment.