site.btaHealth Ministry Starts EU Project Aimed at Modernizing Drinking Water Quality Control

The Ministry of Health (MoH) is commencing implementation of a new European project aimed at modernizing the system for quality control of drinking water in Bulgaria, the MoH press center announced.

The initiative will provide a more advanced technical base, new analytical methods, and training for experts in the state health control system. The project aims to ensure the necessary technical support for monitoring the new water‑quality parameters introduced by Directive (EU) 2020/2184 and reflected in national legislation. In doing so, it will guarantee full compliance with the European requirements for monitoring and analysis of drinking water intended for human consumption, the Ministry said.

The main activities will be carried out at the National Centre for Public Health and Analyses and in regional health inspectorates in Burgas, Pleven, Plovdiv and Stara Zagora. The activities include purchasing modern laboratory equipment and outfitted transport vehicles for transport and storage of samples; developing specialized laboratory software to meet the needs of the state health control system; developing, validating and implementing analytical methods; and training staff to work with the new equipment and analytical methods.

The project is being implemented under Operational Programme Environment 2021–2027. The contract signed with the Managing Authority of the programme is valued at BGN 12,408,505, of which BGN 11.5 million is non‑reimbursable financial assistance. The implementation period is 36 months.

To address problems of water shortages and drinking water quality in this country, alternatives must be sought, said Environment and Water Minister Manol Genov on Bulgarian National TV in June this year. He recalled that water and sewerage companies have obligations for monitoring water, a responsibility that is also carried out by the state.