site.btaUPDATED Protest March in Pleven Demands End to Water Shortages

A protest march against the ongoing water shortages in Pleven started from the Dramatic and Puppet Theatre Ivan Radoev on Sunday. Participants moved through the city centre, encouraging other residents to join them in expressing dissatisfaction with the water rationing that began at the end of July.

The march stopped in front of the Municipality building at Vazrazhdane Square, where protesters displayed placards reading, “We live in the 21st century but have no water… Shame on you,” “Corruption is destroying Pleven,” “We do not want promises, turn the water on,” among others.

BGN 350 million is needed for the complete replacement of the water supply and sewerage network in Pleven, Dragomir Aleksiev from the Kontrakoruptsiya civil association said. Aleksiev added that these funds must be sought and, if necessary, the association will demand them even by camping in front of the National Assembly.

"It is now necessary to do everything possible to resolve the water issue in Pleven. The Prime Minister said funds are available, so as long as they exist, efforts will be made to ensure they are allocated to solve the water supply problem in the region," Aleksiev added during a gathering of citizens in front of the municipal building.

He noted that once funds for the city are secured, the association will monitor how they are spent to ensure transparency. He also said all residents of Pleven should be responsible for the city’s problems, and that resolving them requires a civil society whose tool is protest.

Kontrakoruptsiya member Borislav Tsvetanov, who organized the protest, urged citizens to film incidents involving the water supply network and submit the videos to the media to raise public awareness and expedite necessary repairs.

The protest remained calm and without incidents.

Citizens in Pleven Region have staged repeated demonstrations over the past year against the long-running water supply crisis. Protesters demand urgent replacement of the main water pipeline and restoration of supply, as well as transparency in the use of local water resources. The Municipal Council has held extended hearings with experts and citizens, but no lasting solution has yet been reached.