Several regions in Bulgaria are facing severe water shortages, with 51 municipalities experiencing disrupted supply. More than 11 cities and over 160 villages are grappling with either a complete lack of water or poor-quality supply, affecting over 200,000 people, according to data from the Bulgarian Water and Sanitation Holding.
The most critical water shortages are concentrated in the districts of Pleven, Lovech, Targovishte, and Plovdiv. Pleven, the eighth most populous district, tops the list, with nearly 90,000 residents suffering from disrupted water supply. The situation has sparked major concerns and protests in recent days.
Pleven’s water crisis is worsened by years of inaction. The district missed two opportunities over the past 30 years to apply for a new water cycle system. Adding to the problem, more than 70% of the already limited water supply is lost due to decaying infrastructure and pipe leaks.
In the Lovech district, over 60,000 residents are without water, while in Targovishte, more than 14,000 face similar difficulties. The Plovdiv region also struggles with disrupted supply, affecting around 11,000 people, as reported by local water companies. The crisis highlights Bulgaria’s position at the top of the EU for water losses.
Experts are now preparing recommendations to address the water crisis. These will be submitted to relevant institutions and the temporary parliamentary committee on water scarcity in hopes of finding long-term solutions to the growing problem.
