The water problem must be solved, but not by those who created it and used it to direct billions to companies related to them, says the co-chairman of “Yes, Bulgaria“ Ivaylo Mirchev, the party's press center announced.
And he describes the realities of this serious problem, which affects hundreds of thousands of people and which did not appear out of nowhere:
- During the GERB government, losses in the network reached 90% in some places, without investing in the network.
- Nearly 500 million leva were allocated for the repair of dams, which sank into companies associated with GERB and DPS, without the work being completed.
- Political circles have become obsessed with hydroelectric power plants that use water primarily in the interests of their owners, but not those using drinking water.
- Under European projects, pipes were replaced with cheap, low-quality ones, even with a smaller diameter, which break down more often than the old ones they replaced. But some along the chain got caught with commissions.
- In order to save on electricity, the Water and Sewerage Department stops the water pumps, leaving thousands of people without access to drinking water in the summer (in 2022, I personally identified these practices in the Dobrich region).
- The management of the Water and Sewerage infrastructure is extremely inefficient. Water and Sewerage facilities are public property of the state and municipalities. The MRDPW is responsible for investing and maintaining state-owned Water and Sewerage facilities, but for years it has not implemented any specific investment projects in them. Example - the water supply system for Lovech and Pleven flows like a watering can, but the ministry or its Water and Sewerage holding have not even begun to plan its replacement.
- The municipalities, for their part, still do not accept their role as owners of the networks in the settlements, and do not coordinate with the Water and Sewerage companies. We specifically remember how about 18 months ago, the regional governor and the mayor of Pleven demanded the resignation of the manager of the Pleven Water and Sewerage Company. On 06.12.2024, the Water and Sewerage Company stated that the manager had been replaced. However, at the moment he is still there. The same thing happened in Pernik, where the mayor repeatedly demanded the resignation of the Pernik Water and Sewerage Company.
- Even when the state decided to provide funds for investments, things did not improve. After the water crisis in Pernik, almost 100 million leva were allocated. Of these, about 30 million leva were used to build an unnecessary and illegal water pipeline from Sofia to Pernik, which has been operating for 60 days and will never be used again, nor will it be legalized. The other 70 million leva were poured into the Pernik network. To date, Pernik Water and Sewerage Company reports the highest levels of water losses - almost 83% for 2023 according to KEWR data, compared to 73% in 2019. And logically, there are many settlements under the regime.
- In Pleven, the district with the most affected population by the water regime, water losses are increasing from 61% in 2019 to over 70% in 2023 for the district in total, and over 75% for the city itself. It is well known there that there are no options for alternative water sources, the main measure should be aimed at reducing water losses - because of the little water that comes, 70% leaks out. However, we see empty PR promises for new water sources, and no measures for better management.
- In all areas with problems, we have state-owned Water and Sewerage operators, under the umbrella of the MRDPW and Water and Sewerage Holding. What measures are they taking to improve management? The position of the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works states that the water supply network, whose depreciation is a major problem for the water shortage, is the property of the municipalities. And where is the role of the Water Supply and Sewerage operator, who must manage it, repair and maintain it, measure, analyze and optimize it? And where is the role of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, which must control it?
Investments in water infrastructure are not attractive because they give an effect after years and are not visible like asphalt and stadiums, but it has been proven that theft occurs there too. We have submitted a draft decision for urgent measures to address this problem. If there is no will in the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and all levels of government, however, people will be left with no water, only the levels of theft will be constant, concludes Ivaylo Mirchev.