site.btaBulgaria’s Water Sector Faces Systemic Failures beyond Climate Change, Expert Warns

Water-related problems in Bulgaria are not solely the result of climate change but stem largely from poor management, outdated infrastructure, and lack of coordination between institutions, according to Plamen Nikiforov, an engineer and chair of the Management Board of the Scientific and Technical Union of Water Engineering. His remarks were delivered at a forum titled "Water Quality and Modern Solutions in the Interest of People and Municipalities", held in Sofia Thursday.

Nikiforov emphasized that water-related challenges across Bulgaria vary by location but share common structural causes: climate change impacts, incomplete and aging infrastructure, insufficient financial resources, and ineffective governance.

He called for stronger accountability among responsible institutions and adequate investment to ensure modernization and reliable water services for settlements across the country.

According to the expert, the past 10-15 years have seen a rise in extreme hydrological events: both prolonged droughts and short, intense rainfall episodes that rapidly increase river levels and trigger flooding.

He noted that these floods often cause severe damage to buildings and infrastructure and, in some cases, lead to loss of life.

Among the cited flood events were disasters in Varna (2014), Mizia (2014), Karlovo and surrounding areas (2022), Tsarevo and Primorsko (2023), and Sveti Vlas and Elenite (2025). He also pointed to recent flooding in multiple settlements in central Northern Bulgaria.

Nikiforov highlighted that Bulgaria has developed numerous strategies and programmes for flood risk assessment, early warning, and damage reduction. However, despite significant investment, many of these systems are either not implemented or produce minimal real-world impact. He said that flooding continues to occur almost every year in different regions, often with significant consequences.

The expert explained that flooding is driven by a combination of short-duration, high-intensity rainfall events, deforestation in upstream mountainous areas, landslides that block riverbeds, and illegal or poorly planned construction in drainage areas. He also pointed to the lack of maintenance and clearing of riverbeds as a contributing factor.

He stressed that preventive action is largely missing and that deforestation requires a coordinated national response, including restrictions in vulnerable areas and expanded reforestation programmes, particularly in regions above populated settlements.

Nikiforov reminded participants that Bulgaria remains among the five most water-scarce countries in Europe, excluding the Danube River, which has limited usability in much of the country.

He referenced major dam projects built between 1950 and 1980, such as Kamchia, Borovitsa, and Srechenska Bara, as well as several unfinished or abandoned projects from the 1990s, including Kyustendil, Neykovtsi, Indje Voyvoda and Byala. According to him, millions were invested in these facilities, yet they remain incomplete and non-functional. He warned that partially built structures may even pose flood risks to nearby settlements.

He called for expert assessments to determine whether such projects should be completed or dismantled and the land restored. He also pointed to the nearly completed but abandoned drinking water treatment plant in Sliven, where equipment has been left to deteriorate since 2009.

Nikiforov warned that Bulgaria's water infrastructure is heavily degraded, especially in rural areas where pipes over 50 years old are still in use. He explained that reported water losses of 60-70% include not only leaks but also theft and measurement errors, while actual technical losses from leakage alone account for around 50–60%.

While water quality in major cities is generally good, Nikiforov noted significant problems in smaller settlements, including nitrate contamination, microbiological pollution, and the absence of adequate treatment facilities. He added that many villages rely on septic tanks that contaminate groundwater, while the lack of wastewater treatment plants leads to direct discharge into rivers.

Nikiforov criticized the fragmented structure of water management in Bulgaria, saying responsibilities are spread across too many institutions, resulting in diluted accountability. He also described the sector as chronically underfunded, but stressed that a larger problem is the lack of coordination between funding sources, including the state budget, municipalities, environmental funds, EU programmes, and loans. He warned that some projects are selected for political or opportunistic reasons rather than necessity.

Calls for reform

The expert recommended simplifying and optimizing water management structures, conducting audits of past investments, strengthening oversight of water utility operators, and improving coordination between institutions and funding mechanisms.

He concluded that without systemic reform, Bulgaria will continue to face recurring water crises driven not only by climate change, but by long-standing governance and infrastructure failures.