Deputy Minister Malina Krumova: It is necessary to encourage the participation of citizens and stakeholders in decision-making in the water and sewerage sector

Sustainable financing of the water and sewerage sector is of utmost importance for the conservation and development of water resources. This is a great challenge not only in Europe, but also worldwide. It is our duty and responsibility to ensure the human right of access to water for every citizen.”

That is what Malina Krumova, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, announced at the Tenth Conference of the Bulgarian Water Association - BULAQUA. During the two-day event under the title of Investment Challenges in the Water Sector - Innovative Solutions and Financial Strategies, a discussion forum was organized to discuss the new draft Water Supply Act. The law is being developed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

“It is crucial that citizens and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in decision-making on investment in the water sector. Our primary goal is to keep our customers well informed about their susceptibility to environmental and investment aspects of water,” the Regional Deputy Minister said.

This act will regulate all public relations in the water and sewerage sectors. It will provide mechanisms that will ensure sustainable planning and service efficiency. Raising awareness and greater public involvement in investment decisions in the industry as well as focusing on consumers are among the goals set therein.

“The key concept of this act is to unify the current fragmented framework regulating the industry,” Krumova said. “It will implement integrated and effective investment decisions,” she added.

It is envisaged to develop specialized maps of the water supply and sewerage facilities in order to facilitate the maintenance of the network. Mechanisms will also be put in place to improve the quality control of the implementation and the inputs. Public-private partnerships will be promoted to attract external private funding as well.

During the forum it was announced that the possibility of setting up a dedicated regulator for the industry is also discussed and this regulator would have more consultative functions and would monitor the achievement of the set objectives and results.

The act will also include mechanisms to protect indigent people and vulnerable groups in society. The idea of ​​a guaranteed minimum water consumption of 50 liters per day for the most vulnerable groups is discussed.

“We need to create such a pricing that allows full reimbursement of operators’ costs, including investment in new infrastructure and replacement of depreciated infrastructure,” the Regional Deputy Minister said.

The inclusion of a solidarity fee and the establishment of a dedicated fund to support the water supply operators is among the concepts under discussion in the new draft act. This will allow for a secure source of funding for the industry in order to achieve the objectives and policies. “The fund will allow for the development of the sector, which includes compliance with the European requirements, innovation, development, improvement of the efficiency and capacity of the water supply operators,” Krumova added.

There will also be measures to develop the industry, protect consumer rights, and promote responsible attitude of citizens.