Yulian Popov to FACTI: Almost everywhere there is a water crisis, the reason is simple - incompetent management

A few days ago, Pleven residents blocked the entrances of the buildings of the Municipality and of “Water Supply and Sewerage“ (ViK) EOOD in the city with empty cans and bottles of water in protest against the water shortage. Calls are being heard for resignation, for state and local authorities to take responsibility, for effective action and monitoring in solving the water shortage problem. Where is the problem… Former Minister of Environment and Water Yulian Popov speaks to FACTI.

- Mr. Popov, a temporary commission has been established at the Municipal Council in Pleven in search of a solution to the water shortage problem in the city. Can this commission produce water to satisfy the city?
- The commission will not produce water, but it can put pressure on the water supply operator and the local government to implement some short-term measures that will at least slightly alleviate the crisis. I think public pressure is more reliable, which creates panic among those responsible and forces them to act and seek competent support.

- Every year Pleven is left without water, a commission is formed, but so what. Where is the city's problem?
- Almost everywhere where there is a water crisis, the reason is simple - incompetent management. This incompetence is reinforced by three factors. First, political interference in engineering and technical problems. Second, inadequate investments, which does not mean that there is no money. There is. And third, and this is last, climate change and severe drought. However, incompetence should not be justified by climate change.

- How is the city supplied with water, from what water sources?
- Pleven is supplied mainly from four sources. The most significant is the Cherni Osam river water intake, then shaft wells at the Bivolare pumping station, the Krushovitsa water supply group and the Dolna Mitropolia shaft wells.

The current drought has greatly reduced the inflow from these sources,

but the main problem remains the huge losses, which are officially somewhere between 70 and 80%, and it is possible that they are even greater.

- So somehow water is sent to the city, but 80% of it is lost in the water supply network. Wet the sand, as they say. Who hasn't done what over the years to avoid such losses?
- Many things haven't been done. The so-called zoning hasn't been done, which is important for locating accidents. The water pressure isn't adjusted according to the zone, which leads to more accidents. Modern leak detection equipment isn't used. And probably many other things that are part of competent water supply management.

- It's being commented that the city doesn't have a dam. If we start building it today, it will be ready in 10 years. And until then...
- There's a lot of discussion about the construction of the Cherni Osam dam. I'm skeptical because it will take a long time, especially considering the strong resistance to the construction. The local people around the possible construction are categorically opposed. There are also environmental considerations. Putting all these barriers together, it is not known when a dam could appear. In the meantime, short-term measures can be taken to reduce losses. In parallel, a professional and independent study should be conducted to identify short-term, medium-term and long-term measures.

- As an alternative, today it is indicated to investigate and make new water wells. Why now, when this has not been done already…
- There are wells. More can be done, but the groundwater resource must also be assessed. Bulgaria's soils are critically dry. We have not used the water of the Danube River for irrigation for a long time, climate change is advancing, the climate adaptation strategy is not being implemented, so it is not certain how far we will get with the wells.

- Do you see a solution to the problem and how?
- We need completely depoliticized professional management. A concession from a serious international company is possible. This is how Sofia solved its water problem, and 30 years ago it was under a regime. European funding needs to be reconsidered. In my opinion, we should not rely on it and it could ultimately lead to the opposite result.

- Or next year we can talk about the same topic again with the same success, what will the next formed commission do?
- Most likely, that will happen.

While we are arguing about which party has stopped the water and which party will bring water, most likely there will be no water.

The management of water, both drinking and domestic, including sewage, purification, and those for irrigation, must be professionalized. Otherwise, it cannot be done.