site.btaEx-Environment Minister Blames Gas Pipeline Construction for Pleven Water Crisis
A major water source of Pleven was destroyed in the construction of what started as the South Stream gas pipeline, and the water was polluted with bentonite but it not reach Pleven residents, Emil Dimitrov, a former Environment Minister (2020-21) in the third Boyko Borissov cabinet, said at a news conference at BTA on Wednesday.
Pleven has been experiencing a severe water shortage for many years now and water is supplied according to a draconian rationing schedule even now: they don't have any water during the night and for several hours midday.
In August, local residents started protesting against the inaction of the authorities.
At his Wednesday news conference, Dimitrov largely repeated allegations he made during media appearances in recent days. At the same time he dismissed accusations by the power-sharing party ABV that his claims were a lie and spread panic, and that he should be prosecuted.
"Was the water was polluted and hazardous? Definitely yes! Did it reach Pleven? Definitely not!" he said. He said that this water was lost as the source was barred in the construction of the gas pipeline.
"Those who were building the gas pipeline, are indebted to the city and it would have been good if they paid back. Speaking of that, we discussed before the pipeline started to be built, that they would do several prospecting bore holes and transfer any water by pipes to the existing facilities, " Dimitrov said.
In a related development, the Prime Minister ordered the Regional Development Ministry to publish a plan of measures it would take to remedy the water crisis in Pleven.
/NF/
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