site.btaNo Water Rationing for Veliko Tarnovo Region, Deputy PM Zafirov

No water rationing is planned for Veliko Tarnovo and the region, Deputy Prime Minister and chair of the National Water Board Atanas Zafirov said on Monday. He and Regional Development Minister Ivan Ivanov and Environment and Water Minister Manol Genov took part in a working meeting with Veliko Tarnovo Mayor Daniel Panov and the mayors of municipalities in the region.

According to Zafirov, there are water supply problems in some settlements of the region, but at this stage there is no risk of rationing like in Pleven and Lovech.

He said there are numerous speculations on the issue of water shortages in the region, aimed at spreading fear and panic among the people and serving political interests. Zafirov stressed that political attacks must have boundaries. When fear is instilled where there is no reason, attention is diverted from the real problems that need solving, he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that preventive steps are being taken promptly to secure an alternative water source for the region. Work is progressing on the Alexander Stamboliyski dam project, which has good water quality indicators and could serve as an alternative water supply source in the area, he said, adding that this will be one of the topics on the agenda of the upcoming board meeting.

Zafirov stressed that the state will not allow illegal use of drinking water, regardless of the investor involved, whether hydro power plants, farmers or industrial enterprises. This falls within the scope of the Board, which is working on identifying all problematic points, he added.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, BGN 200 million in 2025 and BGN 350 million in 2026, including EU funds, have been allocated for the restoration of irrigation systems. He specified that the work of the Board is in good coordination with the local authorities, the legislative branch and the Council of Ministers, which makes the final decisions. The meeting, held at the Veliko Tarnovo Municipality building, continues with the participation of Regional Governor Yulia Likomanova-Mutafchieva, the director of the Yovkovtsi Water Supply and Sewerage Company, MPs from the region and other institutions.