„It is very important and we should not reach what the representative of ViK-Pernik said about Breznik - God forbid there will be rain. Governments and the National Assembly should not become shamans waiting for rain, but long-term and sustainable solutions are needed“, said former Minister of Environment and Water Nona Karadjova.
According to her, the problems are multi-layered and very serious reforms are needed.
„In technical terms, water leakage is very high, it is about 60% for the country. For comparison, in 2000, water leakage was 57%. On average for the country, they remain the same for a period of 25 years. This means that as much is invested as possible and things do not get worse. Very serious investments and priorities are needed“, noted Karadjova.
“Secondly, the water supply companies are operators, they are expected to invest, but they are not investors. They have the funds they collect from consumers. The price of water is determined by the EWRC, it has a ceiling and the water supply companies cannot exceed it and raise the necessary funds. There is no asocial protection for vulnerable households, poor people who cannot pay for their water in the event of an increase“, she added.
According to her, the next problems are management and managerial.
„There is a continuous conflict between the municipalities and the regional ministry, since the municipalities own the majority of the water and sanitation assets, but the state has a blocking quota for what to do with this water and sanitation infrastructure.
According to the former Minister of the Environment, the state must clearly and categorically assume its role as a supplier of water to settlements.
„This is not the job of the water and sanitation operators. Moreover, it is not the regional ministry that should build these main water pipelines. I think the creation of the Water and Sanitation Holding in 2019 was a good step. It should assume this role and clearly state – the ministry is responsible for the supply of water to settlements. Then the municipalities choose an operator to manage their assets and bear this responsibility“, said Nona Karadjova.
It is necessary to adopt a long-term strategy by the parliament that would foresee the necessary reforms, develop legislation and all this can be done within a year, she added.
“The Water Deficiency Commission must come up with two solutions – short-term for the regions that are water-deficit such as Pleven, Lovech, Breznik, Omurtag and others, with emergency measures to the extent possible to provide water or a clear schedule in which way which settlements will be on the regime in case of need. Long-term solution – The Council of Ministers should present a long-term strategy to the parliament, which should first of all say how to reform the sector, where to find the money“, Karadjova also said.
According to her, water prices should be raised, but social protection is needed for vulnerable and poor people.