Water supply in Bulgaria has been neglected for years. This was stated to the Bulgarian National Radio by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Galya Bardarska from the Association "Global Water Partnership - Bulgaria".
"In the first programming period for European funding, there is 0 leva for water supply and treatment plants for drinking and domestic needs. Due to the lack of projects for sewerage and wastewater treatment plants, we did not absorb the European money from the first programming period, which we could have applied to water supply. "Then the Minister of the Environment redirected the unspent funds to purchase buses, and not to the water supply sector," she pointed out and emphasized that in those years a false claim was spread that the EU does not allocate money for water supply, and when asked by non-governmental organizations, the EC replied that the money is allocated in sectors specified by the Bulgarian government.
Eng. Bardarska explained that during the second period of European funding, water pipes were allowed to be replaced, but only in the areas where the sewage system was replaced, which increased water losses even more.
"In the current period of European funding, the funds for water supply are significantly less than for sewage and wastewater treatment plants".
She gave the example of Pleven and pointed out that the municipal budget does not provide funds for replacing the water supply network, but a sports hall will be built for nearly 35 million leva.
According to her, until the mayors prioritize water supply, things will not improve.
Eng. Galya Bardarska pointed out that the transitional and final provisions of the Draft Law on Water Supply and Sewerage prepared by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria (MRDPW) state that "the words 'strategy for the management of water supply and sewage' should be dropped":
"The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria (MRDPW) is abandoning a strategy for the Water Supply and Sewerage sector. This is outrageous, provided that the EC adopted a strategy for sustainable water management, which entered into force on July 4, 2025, where it is clearly stated that water losses must be reduced by 10% by 2030. It is clear that the water shortage in Bulgaria is not due to a lack of water resources. The problem is that our water resources are not used purposefully".
According to her, the Water Supply and Sewerage sector is not managed by Water Supply and Sewerage engineers.