site.btaOmbudsman Renews Call for Urgent Reforms in Water Sector

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva has urged MPs to strengthen consumer protection and improve oversight of water utilities in comments on amendments to the Water Act submitted to Parliament's Budget and Finance Committee.

Delcheva said her recommendations were based on an analysis of complaints received by the Ombudsman's Office and data pointing to persistent problems in the water sector. 

She pointed out that water losses remain above 60% nationwide despite significant investment in infrastructure.

“No improvement or reduction in overall losses has been seen since 2020, but water prices have continued to rise. The average increase across the country between 2020 and 2026 exceeds 72%,” Delcheva said.

She added that many regions continue to face severe water shortages and restrictions, including Sliven, Omurtag, Shumen, Pleven, Breznik and municipalities in Sofia Region.

The Ombudsman called for a new Water Supply and Sewerage Act to guarantee access to quality water services at economically justified and socially affordable prices. She also proposed linking water prices to the method of supply and introducing compensation for consumers when water quality fails to meet legal standards.

Delcheva further supported stronger regulatory oversight and sanctions against water operators that fail to meet their obligations. She also called for a comprehensive assessment of the implementation of Bulgaria’s 2014-2023 water sector development strategy, arguing that no public evaluation of its effectiveness has yet been made.