site.btaLack of Young Professionals, Aging Infrastructure Among Most Pressing Challenges for Bulgaria’s Water Supply Sector

A shortage of young professionals, significant water losses, and aging infrastructure continue to be among the most pressing challenges for Bulgaria’s water supply sector, said Bulgarian Water Association Chair Ivan Ivanov on Thursday in Ruse during a professional competition for water utility employees.

Ivanov noted that the sector faces serious challenges in attracting and retaining young talent, mainly due to low wages and limited interest in water-related fields. He stressed that pay levels in the industry are not appealing and added that initiatives like the competition in Ruse could help improve the sector’s image and draw new workers. He also pointed out that universities are seeing very few applicants for water supply specialities, with some universities enrolling fewer than ten students every year.

Among the major issues, Ivanov highlighted the growing impact of climate change, which is contributing to water shortages and supply restrictions in various settlements. Another concern is the outdated infrastructure, much of which has not been upgraded for decades. He noted that replacing more than 3–4% of pipelines annually in urban areas is difficult without disrupting daily life, warning that at this pace even 50 years would not be enough to modernize the system.

Water losses remain a serious issue as well, averaging around 60% nationwide—far above European standards, where acceptable levels are below 20%. Ivanov said that these losses are not only due to leaks but also to inaccurate or faulty measurement devices, emphasizing the need to first improve measurement systems to better understand the scope of the problem. He concluded by highlighting the Water and Sewerage Company in Ruse as one of the country’s better-performing utilities, citing its strong operational results and consistent management.

He explained that the event has been organized for 12 years and is designed not only as a contest, but also as a platform for exchanging experience among specialists from different operators. According to him, the aim is to bring together experts from various companies so they can discuss shared issues and work toward solutions.

Regarding the professional competition taking place in Ruse, Ivanov noted that more than 15 water companies are taking part in 2026, with around 100 participants and guests in total. The competition features activities such as leak detection, excavator operation, and installation of water metering systems. Ruse is hosting the event after its local utility won the 2025 edition.