site.btaDams in Bulgaria Hold Enough Water for Drinking, Irrigation - Environment and Water Ministry

The dams of major significance hold enough water to meet basic needs for drinking needs and irrigation, despite the long drought in some areas, according to data of the Environment and Water Ministry released on Thursday. 

Thanks to the good work and caution in approving monthly schedules of water use, the Ministry has ensured that the 52 dams of major significance in this country hold enough water volumes. No problems are expected in the supply of drinking water in any medium-sized town or big city, outgoing Environment and Water Minister Borislav Sandov said. 

Still, there are villages, although with small populations, which have water rationing or which experience significant problems in respect of water quantity and quality. Water losses along the water mains grid are estimated at an average of 60%. 

Sandov called on the local water supply and sewerage utilities to work and resolve the existing problems. In his words, the Ministry does not have power to control the services for water supply, sewerage and water purification. Sandov said that quicker and more adequate steps are needed to meet the needs of high-quality running water in each population centre, as required by the EU legislation.