site.bta Deputy PM: No Settlement Will Be without Drinking Water Access within Cabinet's Term

"Not a single settlement will be left without access to drinking water within the term of this Government," Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov said here on Friday. He participated in a working meeting together with Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova, Targovishte Regional Governor Yoan Peev, and municipality mayors of the region.

Zafirov pointed out that Omurtag is currently the largest settlement in the country where water supply is rationed. That town and Breznik (Southwestern Bulgaria) are the last two suffering this hardship. The Deputy PM pointed out that the nature of the problem was discussed very carefully and in detail. "We are largely confident that the problem will be resolved in the foreseeable future," Zafirov stressed, adding that two projects are currently underway in Omurtag to remodel and replace the water supply network in the town itself, which will address part of the issue.

The water supply network is depreciated and the main water sources are drying up countrywide, he pointed out. "Still, the major problem remains the water source, so we will also work on this case, namely a water supply from the Yastrebino Dam, which will solve the problems of the entire Omurtag Municipality," Zafirov said, noting that there is a solution to this problem.

"We also discussed the financing methods with the Finance Minister and the possibilities with the local authorities, as they are also aware of how this can happen. I want to say with a high degree of confidence that within the term of this Government there will not be a single settlement without access to this essential service, which is also enshrined in the Constitution, namely access to drinking water," the Deputy Prime Minister promised.