The water crisis, which in 2019 put Pernik to a severe test, is today a reality for two other regional cities - Pleven and Breznik.
The Mayor of Pernik Stanislav Vladimirov explained that, unlike Pernik, Breznik has no connection to the large water transmission network. The city relies solely on the “Krasava“ dam, which is currently in critical condition. The water there is dangerous to drink and even unfit for domestic needs.
“The water catchment is very small and even in a snowy winter, the dam cannot be filled. This is a long-term problem that could last for years,“ Vladimirov warned on bTV.
According to him, there are two options for alternative water supply to Breznik. The first is a connection to the Pernik network and supply from the “Studena“ dam, which is currently almost full and can serve another city the size of Pernik. The second is the “Meshtitsa“ dam, built under a state program, for which water samples are currently being carried out.
In the short term, however, the Breznik municipality is betting on drilling. “Any alternative makes sense if it provides a sustainable solution. Everything else is a temporary fix”, the mayor emphasized.
According to him, the earliest deadline for building a connection between the networks of Breznik and Pernik is a year and a half – because of the design procedures, selection of a contractor and possible expropriations.
„Regarding Pleven, I am not in depth about the whole problem, but people there also need to simply understand that they have months, maybe years ahead of them, during which they will be in a very difficult situation“, Vladimirov also commented.
He also drew a parallel with the crisis in Pernik in 2019, when the city immediately declared a state of emergency and state funding was provided in a short time.
„In Pleven, it seems that the local government is standing aside from the problem“, said the mayor of Pernik.